Formartine United manager Steve Paterson faces a race against time to sign a goalkeeper before tomorrow’s Highland League match against Rothes.
Errol Watson limped through Wednesday’s 5-2 defeat at Cove Rangers, despite suffering a groin injury in the first half. First-choice Andy Shearer has missed the past two games because of an ankle injury and is not expected to return before the end of the year.
With Watson facing a month on the sidelines, Paterson is now hoping to sign a goalkeeper on loan in time for the weekend.
He said: “I will have to get someone in for the Rothes match.
“At this level, clubs tend to have one strong goalkeeper and another player who is more content to be on the bench.
“If we had two goalkeepers determined to play every week then one of them is going to get disappointed and annoyed.
“We have had that situation before.
“This will be my fourth goalkeeper of the season as we let John Calder go as well. It is not an ideal situation to be in, but we will find someone.”
Paterson accepted his side was well beaten by Cove Rangers in Wednesday’s Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield match.
He added: “It was a disappointing night. We took the lead with a great goal, but conceded three sloppy goals before half-time.
“Our goalkeeper being injured didn’t help. He was injured after about 20 minutes but as I didn’t have a real back up he had to continue.
“The two goals at the start of the second half were purely down to the goalkeeper being injured.
“The scoreline may have been harsh but Cove thoroughly deserved their win and had more of an appetite for the match than us.”