Rowley has one eye on Wick cup tie
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FORRES Mechanics may have a top four league clash on Saturday but the following week's big cup tie is already in their sights.
The Cans could go joint-second in the Highland League if they defeated third-placed hosts Brora Rangers this weekend.
However silverware remains manager Charlie Rowley's priority and he sees the following Friday's Highland League Cup quarter-final at Wick Academy as a more important game.
"We are certainly looking forward to going up to Brora but we realise what we are up against and we will go into it a bit short of numbers," he said.
"All we are looking for from Saturday is to come out of it with some positives ahead of the Wick game which at this stage we feel is a bit more important than the Brora one.
"This week's game is still an important game and if we got something out of it, that would be hugely positive."
With second-placed Fraserburgh taking on one hundred per cent leaders Cove on a weekend where the top four face off, a Forres win and Broch defeat would see the Mosset Park men join Fraserburgh on 40 points.
It will be a tall order for Forres to topple a Brora side which has been in formidable form on home soil this term.
With centre back Graham Fraser banned for a second game, Stuart Soane and Martin Groat only fit for a place on the bench at best and Callum Howarth likely to miss out with a hamstring pull, Rowley may have to reshuffle his pack.
He could be forced to field 16-year-old Taylor Thain at right back and switch Simon Allan to left back. Rowley is planning to have Soane and Groat in contention for a start at Wick in the Friday night cup clash, while Fraser will be available once again.
