Lee Fraser enjoying new role as striker turns centre-half for Forres Mechanics
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AFTER more than a decade of hammering in goals for Forres Mechanics, Lee Fraser has become a vital part of the club's backline this season.
Fraser was dropped into central defence due to a number of players in the Can-Cans rearguard struggling with injury.
Having played the his first game at centre-half with twin brother Graham – after a training injury sustained by Ruari Fraser – he has gone onto play alongside Connall Ewan and, on Saturday, Dale Wood in the heart of the defence.
"I'm actually really enjoying it," he said. "Just playing is good because I didn't play at the start of the season.
"I don't know how many games that is at centre-half now but I'm enjoying it. It's something different.
"The first game I played at centre-half was with Graham, but other than that I haven't really had any advice from him.
"I wouldn't say it comes naturally, but I know what I'm doing.
"I don't know if it's because I've played up front and played against defenders, so I know what they are planning or thinking, but I think I'm doing all right there."
Having Fraser play at centre half does not eliminate the threat he provides in the opposition box, as Strathspey Thistle found out at the weekend.
Two headed goals, one from a corner and the other from a free-kick, and a headed assist, saw Lee Fraser add to his last-minute winner against Lossiemouth just before Christmas.
"That's what we were missing at the start of the season, we weren't scoring enough from corners," he said.
"And that's three for me now – one against Lossie and two against Strathspey. It's good having Craig (Mackenzie) and Andy (Skinner) putting them in for me.
"I've scored most of my goals with headers from corners so it's been fine to get back to doing that."
Mechanics are back in action on Saturday when they welcome Brora Rangers to Mosset Park. Connall Ewan is back from suspension and in contention to play at centre back.
Graham Fraser and Ruari Fraser will both miss out, although the latter is back in training.
