Forres Mechanics captain Martin Groat sees progress at Mosset Park as he signs contract extension
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SEEING Forres Mechanics make progress in a difficult season persuaded captain Martin Groat to put pen to paper on a two-year deal.
The 27-year-old Dingwall-based midfielder is out for the season after tearing his hamstring in last Wednesday’s battling 2-0 defeat to Buckie Thistle.
But he was pleased to see his Cans respond in impressive fashion with a 3-1 success over Huntly.
Groat is impressed by the plans of manager Steven MacDonald and aims to consign a tough campaign to the history books and plot a course for better times.
“It seems to be going in the right direction,” he said.
“This season has been stop-start for us. Charlie (Rowley) leaving was a big thing for us and Gogs (Connelly) came in but it just wasn’t happening.
“When he left and Biscuits (MacDonald) came in, it has needed a long time to adjust and we have really underachieved for the squad we have here.
"But the ship is getting steadier and there’s a couple more boys to take in, so I’m feeling a lot more positive about next season.”
The former Ross County man is pleased to see fellow Dingwall native Steven MacLean arrive at the club as MacDonald’s assistant. MacLean coached Groat at Ross County youth development level and says he has a lot to offer to Mechanics.
Groat is also proud to be wearing the skipper’s armband this season.
“It was a good boost to get the captaincy and I am enjoying that role. We do need more players in but I know the manager is on that."
“We are out of the balance at the moment. Normally we have a good few experienced lads and we try to take some youth in as well. But it seems to be the other way round where we have a lot of young ones and not a lot of experience.”
One of the young Cans, Caley Thistle loanee Ben Barron smacked a Buckie post in the first minute of last week’s Buckie match before the visitors quickly took the lead. A disputed second, when Lewis Mackinnon scored from a possible offside position, set Forres back but they had the better of the second half and hit the woodwork again as well as forcing some good saves out of Kevin Main.
On Saturday, Mechanics trailed at the break to a Jack MacIver goal but hit back in style through Allan Macphee’s double and a Callum Johnston clincher.
“Now we have Strathspey and Clach so we are hoping we can get six points. Then we go to the Broch in the last game, hoping we can spoil their title party. The plan is to try and get into the top ten. At the start of the season, I thought we were looked good to get in the top five or six but it never turned out like that. It’s something to aim for next season.”
Johnston, Cammy Hoath, Shaun Morrison and Thomas Brady have also signed new two-year deals.
