Formartine United may be underdogs against Annan Athletic today but manager Kris Hunter hopes the prospect of a fourth-round tie at Premiership side Partick Thistle can motivate his players to pull off an upset.
United face League 2 outfit Annan in a resche-duled tie at North Lodge Park after last weekend’s match was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
Hunter is set to complete the signing of Fraserburgh defender Russell McBride but he will be cup tied should the deal be completed ahead of the game.
The United manager, who has Paul Lawson and Garry Wood back in contention for today’s match, wants his players to seize the opportunity of a trip to Firhill and said: “Not many players get the chance to play against a Premiership club. We’ve got to take care of Annan first. They will be thinking the same way as us.”
Elsewhere, Forres Mechanics face Stenhousemuir in a replay at Ochilview after holding the Warriors to a 2-2 draw at home last weekend.
Mechanics will face St Johnstone if they progress and manager Charlie Rowley is pleased his side will not be forced to live with the pain of missing out on a mammoth tie if they fail.
He added: “St Johnstone are a successful team but it’s not too significant a tie, although it would still be a good day out and financially good for the club. We are just trying to concentrate on Stenhousemuir.”
Wick Academy are also in action against League 2 Stirling Albion at Forthbank, as they look to set up a home tie against either Clyde or Arbroath.
Scorries manager Gordon Connelly wants his players to be relaxed ahead of the tie against the League 2 side.
He said: “It’s down to who holds their nerves, makes the least mistakes and takes their chances.”