Scottish Cup preview: Fourteen Highland League clubs set for national tourney action including three all-north ties

THE Scottish Cup adventure begins for Highland League clubs this weekend.

Fourteen SHFL sides are scheduled to play in the second preliminary round, with the draw throwing up three all-north ties.

Buckie Thistle start as big favourites to progress as they visit Strathspey Thistle, who haven't yet played a competitive game this season.

Buckie boss Graeme Stewart will ensure that his team shows no signs of complacency.

"We’ve played quite a few competitive games and we should be sharper, we finished higher than them last year so we go in as favourites," he said.

"But it doesn’t mean we are going to win the game so we’ve got to be at our best because we are not good enough to just turn up and win games."

Buckie will assess the fitness of Sam Urquhart and Marcus Goodall who are both carrying knocks.

Spectators will be allowed inside Seafield Park for the match but only home fans can attend as it is Strathspey's first match there since the Covid-19 outbreak.

Keith host a Fort William side who like Strathspey haven't played a game in the current campaign.

This game is subject to an 8am pitch inspection being carried out at Kynoch Park this morning.

Wick Academy's home clash with Musselburgh Athletic was called off yesterday and has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 15, kick off 7.30pm.

Formartine United and Turriff United meet at North Lodge Park in the third Highland League clash, and already their second meeting this term.

The sides met at The Haughs in their league opener with Formartine winning 5-1, and the Pitmedden side have also beaten Dyce Juniors in the Aberdeensire Cup so look favourites to go through,

Allan Hale's first Scottish Cup match in charge at Huntly will be at home to Dalbeattie Star, who are third from bottom of the Lowland League.

Hale believes his opponents could be in a false league position and expects a challenging tie.

"It’s important not to look just at the league table," he said. "They seem to have a lot of loan players from SPFL clubs which is a market they are able to tap into.

"So it's going to be players who are technically very good.

"With the home advantage we’ve got, and if we play to our capabilities, hopefully we can come through and get to the next round."

Huntly have seven players out for the match but will be keen to build on their 1-1 draw with Deveronvale last week.

Vale are also on home soil with former junior side Camelon making the trip to Princess Royal Park.

Camelon won the Scottish Junior Cup in 1995 and include Kevin McAllister and current Hibs boss Jack Ross as former players.

They are riding high in the East of Scotland League just now and are expected to be tough opponents for Vale.

Inverurie Locos make the trip to former SPFL side East Stirlingshire, who are pressing hard in the Lowland League this term to return to League 2 next season.

Nairn County are back in action against South of Scotland League outfit Threave Rovers, who make the long journey from Dumfries and Galloway.

The game has been a long time coming for Nairn as they look to play their first game of the 2020/21 season, with fans allowed into the ground for the first time since February.

“We have been taking extra precautions after we were forced to isolate with a player getting Covid," said Nairn boss Ronnie Sharp.

"We’ve doubled down on everything again to make sure we’re doing everything correctly, so hopefully it will go well.”

Clach also make their first appearance this season, welcoming Lowland League Caledonian Braves to Grant Street Park.

Rothes have nine players missing for their visit to East of Scotland League side Newtongrange Star.

And Lossiemouth are also on the road as they head to Edinburgh to take on another East league side, Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale.

The capital outfit came through the first preliminary round and will be a tough test for a young lossie side, who are missing Baylee Campbell and the Kennedy brothers, Jared and Niall.

Coasters manager Joe Russell said: "From our perspective we’ll just go down there and do the best that we can and hopefully get something."

Vale's pitch may not be playable but it is understood that the club can switch to an astro surface in the capital if required.