Brora Rangers manager Grant Munro hopes to make home advantage count in today’s top-of-the-table Press and Journal Highland League encounter against Cove Rangers.
The Cattachs lead the table and would move nine points clear of third-placed Cove with a victory at Dudgeon Park today, although Cove have three games in hand.
Brora suffered a 2-1 loss when they last played Cove at Harlaw Park in August and, having already played fellow title challengers Buckie Thistle and Formartine United away from home, Munro expects today’s meeting with the champions to be the first of several crucial encounters at Dudgeon Park.
Munro said: “We’ve played a lot of our rivals away but they have still to come to us, so we’re looking to make the most of home advantage.
“The last couple of games have not been our greatest performances and the boys know what’s expected when they come up against Cove.
“They had a good result last week and they beat us the last time we played them. I had no complaints that day, they were the better side and the team that looked hungrier.
“We need to be on our guard, Cove were the champions last year and they are in the hunt again this year. We know they have games in hand, so it’s poised nicely for this game. There are plenty goals in both teams, I would be very surprised if it finished 0-0.”
Cove manager John Sheran is determined to do a league double over the Cattachs but he does not believe today’s game will determine who goes on to lift the title.
He said: “Every time we go to Brora it’s always a big game, both teams have a lot of respect for each other.
“We were a bit sharper last time we played them and we took our chances when they came along but this will be a completely different game.”
Both sides are at full strength for today’s match.
Turriff United make the trip to Huntly knowing a victory would move them to within three points of fourth-placed Formartine United and manager Ross Jack is eager to keep his side’s momentum going after three straight wins.
He said: “We’ve got to try to build on our 2-0 victory against Lossie-mouth on Wednesday.
“I was delighted with the performance, it was a comfortable win and it was good to build on our wins against Rothes and Forres Mechanics before that. Hopefully we can continue this streak at Huntly.”
Inverurie Locos are aiming to round off a successful week in style today when they host Rothes, with the Garioch men fresh from lifting the Aberdeenshire Shield with a 5-2 triumph against Banks o’ Dee at Christie Park on Wednesday.
Rothes are without the suspended Dan Smith, along with midfielders Callum McIntosh, Fraser Forbes, Ruari Watt and Sean Jennings but defender Blair McDonald returns from suspension.
Strathspey Thistle take on Keith at Seafield Park, with Jags manager Brian Grant hoping to hand a debut to young attacker Aiden Drever, who previously played in Orkney.