Scottish Cup: Moray’s Highland League sides in first-round action - what can we expect from the opposition?

It’s the most magical footballing day of the year - the Scottish Cup first round is on the horizon.

Excitement levels are always high as teams take a step into the unknown and do battle with teams they may never see or hear of again.

All 18 Highland League teams enter the competition at this stage - with four of Moray’s teams doing battle with teams from outwith the area and Rothes handed a trip to Fraserburgh.

Rothes and Lossiemouth are on the road, with Buckie Thistle, Keith and Forres Mechanics all hosting southern opponents.

So what do we know about Moray’s teams’ opposition - Linlithgow Rose, Camelon Juniors, Jeanfield Swifts, Carluke Rovers and Fraserburgh?

Forres Mechanics v Jeanfield Swifts

Perhaps the first name that springs out to Moray readers is Jeanfield Swifts. The name will send a shiver down the spine of Elgin City fans.

The Black and Whites suffered arguably the worst result in the club’s history in last season’s Scottish Cup, going down to a 6-0 defeat in Perthshire. How times have changed since!

While City’s on-field fortunes have altered, Jeanfield - on paper - appear just as strong as they were for that second-round mauling.

Swifts finished third in last season’s East of Scotland Premier League, from which champions Broxburn Athletic were promoted to the Lowland League, and this season they sit top and are undefeated after eight matches.

Forres Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald said after his side’s 4-3 win over Wick Academy that his side would need to be better against Swifts or they would be “absolutely thrashed”.

But he and his players know that and are right up for the task in what should be an interesting cup tie.

Linlithgow Rose v Lossiemouth

Lossiemouth have, on paper, the best ‘cup tie’ of Moray’s sides. An away trip against a high-ranking Lowland League opposition.

The Coasters’ record in the Scottish Cup… leaves plenty to be desired. Lossie haven’t won in the competition since a 4-1 victory over Newton Stewart in 2009.

They will be underdogs again tomorrow against a Linlithgow side that currently sit third in the Lowland League.

However, they don’t have to look too far for inspiration on a cup shock. Lossie coach Ian Campbell’s son was the brains behind Lossiemouth United’s sensational cup shock against Auchinleck Talbot.

Lossiemouth forward Brodie Christie, who scored a double in the Coasters’ 3-1 win over Fraserburgh in the league at the weekend, said: “They are a top team, but it's a cup tie and a one-off.

“Getting a good away tie and getting down the night before is part of the excitement.

“If you look what Lossiemouth United did against Talbot then there is no reason we can't go and have a go.”

Lossie are travelling down the road today to stay in Dunfermline before tomorrow’s tie. Proper Scottish Cup vibes.

Keith v Camelon Juniors

While Forres entertain the leaders of the East of Scotland’s Premier Division, just along the A96 Keith will be welcoming the First Division leaders, Camelon Juniors.

Camelon finished fourth in the league last season, but have started this campaign by collecting 19 points from a possible 24.

The Falkirk-area side are another that are familiar to Elgin City fans - albeit for better reasons, with the Black and Whites beating them 4-0 on a great Scottish Cup run in 2022.

Camelon qualified for the first-round after a 6-0 away win over Coldstream.

Keith will be looking to secure their first Scottish Cup success since an extra-time win over another East of Scotland side, Hill of Beath Hawthorn, in 2020.

Buckie Thistle v Carluke Rovers

Buckie Thistle have what, on paper, looks like a very straightforward Scottish Cup first round tie.

In their first match since a famous 5-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead, the Jags take on Carluke Rovers from the 10th tier of Scottish football.

Carluke play their football in the West of Scotland League’s Fourth Division - which is four divisions below the level that Auchinleck Talbot and Clydeback - the big-hitting juniors - play at.

Buckie have dropped a few unexpected points in the Highland League, but it would be a big upset were Carluke to knock them out of the Scottish Cup.

Manager Lewis Mackinnon told the club’s Facebook: “We are not taking anything for granted. They are quite far down the pyramid but it will be a tough game.

“They will come with a game plan to sit deep with a low block and try to frustrate us. That’s how I envisage them playing.

“We have had games like that recently and we know how to break teams down. I think it’ll be a good day for us.”

Rothes v Fraserburgh

The last thing you want as a fan of a Highland League club on first-round draw day is to see your team drawn against opposition from your own league.

Especially when that opposition beat your team 7-0 on their own patch just weeks ago.

That’s the result that Rothes fans got when they were drawn against Fraserburgh.

The Speysiders will be underdogs - but have shown far better form on the road in the Highland League than at home. In fact, all of their seven points have come on the road, with wins at Forres and Nairn and a draw at Deveronvale.

Another battling showing against Brechin at the weekend in a 2-1 loss shows that Rothes shouldn’t be ruled out against a Fraserburgh team that sits 12th in the Highland League after a shock loss against Lossiemouth at the weekend.