Formartine United have the chance to avenge their 2-0 Scottish Cup defeat by Inverurie Locos when the pair meet in the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup final at Bellslea Park, Fraserburgh, today (2pm).
Formartine captain Craig Mc- Keown, who has recovered from a broken bone in a hand, said: “This is a chance to mend that 2-0 defeat a couple of weeks ago – the only real blip in our season so far.
“It is a cup final, so all form goes out of the window.
“It also gives us an opportunity to rectify what happened in this final last season. We’re still hurting from losing to Fraserburgh on penalties after we had been 2-0 up with only 20 minutes to go.
“I seem to have heard every minute of every single day that Formartine have still to win a trophy in the Highland League. Hopefully, we can also put that right.”
Formartine are at full strength, apart from midfielder Neil McVitie, who will have a fitness test on his hamstring.
Locos attacker Martin Bavidge said: “It’s not just a cup final, it’s also a derby game with a wee bit of added spice after we knocked them out of the Scottish Cup a fortnight ago.”
The former Caley Thistle and Peterhead forward added: “I have really enjoyed coming back into the Highland League. The last time I played in a major cup final in north football was for Forres Mechanics when I was on a six-month loan spell from Caley Thistle.
“It was in the 1998-99 Highland League Cup final when we beat Keith 1-0 at Borough Briggs in Elgin.”
Locos will be without central defender Keiran Adams and top scorer Neil Gauld, both of whom are on holiday.
Another player who will not be involved in the on-field action today is Locos club captain Steven Park, 34, who is hanging up his boots after making more than 500 appearances over the past 14 seasons.