Jamie Watt wants a hat-trick of wins against his former Highland League clubs as the junior football veteran chases the early 40th birthday present of a Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield winner’s medal tonight.
The Banks o’ Dee striker has been prolific in the competition, with two of his former clubs feeling the brunt, and he hopes to take a third scalp, that of Cove Rangers, in tonight’s final at Harlaw Park, Inverurie.
Watt has scored eight goals in three rounds, with doubles against Keith and Inverurie Locos before scoring four in a 7-0 semi-final romp against Deveronvale.
The veteran would love to hang up his boots at the end of the season by claiming a fairytale victory tonight.
He said: “It all just seemed to be a bit of destiny. I will stop playing at the end of the season, I’ll be 40 years old on February 27 and what a way to bow out, playing against my old Cove team-mates.
“After we beat Keith in the first round I realised if everything clicked into place, if we could beat two of my former clubs Locos and Vale, we could face the other Highland League club I’ve played for during my long career, Cove Rangers, in the final. Amazingly that’s exactly the way it has worked out.
“If we were to win the shield it would be wonderful.
“It’s a really tall order of course to go and beat Cove Rangers as they’re flying and they haven’t been beaten in the league for 18 months.
“It would be quite something if a junior club like Banks o’ Dee could win the trophy. We’ve already taken out three big Highland League teams on our way to the final but Cove are on a different level.” Banks o’ Dee are the underdogs but Watt believes his team goes into the match with nothing to lose.
He added: “It’s just great for us to reach the final. Nobody expects us to win so we can just go out and enjoy the occasion. There’s certainly no pressure on ourselves.
“I’ve watched Cove a few times this season and they’re a very good side. They are extremely impressive, very solid at the back and up front they’re really sharp, so it really will be a big step for our lads.
“But a final is very much a one-off so you just never know and if I score a goal past big Eric Watson and the even bigger goalie, Stuart McKenzie, I will be absolutely delighted.”
Watt has shown no signs of feeling the strain after displaying his prolific scoring ability.
His displays against other Highland League clubs have certainly bolstered his confidence and Watt has added incentive to continue his rich vein of form in the tournament as he chases two targets tonight.
He wants to keep former team-mate, Cove captain Eric Watson, quiet and also wants to take his goals tally in this season’s tournament to double figures.
It is a tall order against arguably the strongest team in the Highland League this season but Watt is relishing the chance.
His objective is to show that his team can hold its own against the Highland League leaders.
He said: “I’ve scored eight goals in three cup ties on the way to the final.
“I don’t think it’s asking too much for me to get to 10.
“That would be amazing.
“Eric phoned me on Saturday and told me that he had been rested ahead of the shield final. We didn’t have a game last weekend so we’ll both be rested and no doubt he’ll relish kicking me up in the air and I’ll relish the opportunity to wind him up during the game.”