Formartine United goalkeeper Kevin Main hopes his side can move one step closer to defending the Aberdeenshire Shield by defeating his former side Buckie Thistle tonight.
The North Lodge Park men make the journey to Victoria Park for this evening’s quarter-final tie with both sides looking for a positive response to defeats on their previous outings.
Formartine suffered a 2-1 loss against derby rivals Inverurie Locos last Wednesday, while Buckie were beaten 7-0 by Brora at the weekend.
Main is expecting a determined response from his former side. The 37-year-old said: “It is a big game and one we are all looking forward to.
“We are keen to test ourselves against one of the better teams in the Highland League.
“Losing a match 7-0 can dent your confidence a bit and I’m sure they will be looking to bounce back.
“They will likely make a few changes and they will have a big support behind them.
“I always enjoy going back to Buckie. I had 12 good years at the club and I’m always made welcome whenever I go back. I always get a wee bit of banter from the fans as well.”
The Pitmedden side are seventh in the league but have games in hand on all of the teams above them.
Main said: “We have only played 11 league games because we have had so many cup games.
“We have a bit of a fixture pile-up and it has been a bit of a stop-start season, especially in the league.
“We really need to get on a winning run to get ourselves back in it. We have lacked consistency this season. It feels like the league is on the backburner because we have played so much cup football.
“In terms of the Aberdeenshire Shield, we want to win every tournament we enter.
“We won it last year and we got to the final of the Aberdeenshire Cup this season and lost.
“We want to kick on and get to the next round.”