With 17 goals in 19 appearances, it is difficult to believe Cove Rangers forward Daryl Nicol spent three years out of football before joining the Allan Park side this summer.
The 24-year-old netted twice in Cove’s 5-2 win against Formartine United in the Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield on Wednesday and will be looking to find the back of the net once again when John Sheran’s men travel to Forres on Highland League duty today.
Nicol had been out of the game since leaving Montrose in 2011 but has proven to be a shrewd acquisition for Cove.
The forward said: “I went to work offshore but I am back now and loving being involved with a brilliant Cove side.
“It has gone much better than I could have expected. I am still getting there in terms of fitness but our team creates so many chances it is difficult not to score. It is a joy to play up front for this team as you get so many chances.
“I have set myself a target for the season but I will keep that myself. This is my first season back playing, so I am treating every extra goal as a bonus.”
Cove head into today’s match at Mosset Park on the back of a five-game winning run and Nicol says confidence is high among the team.
He added: “It was another great team performance against Formartine. We are flying just now. We are on a fantastic run of results.”
Huntly have strengthened their squad ahead of their trip to Lossiemouth, with the loan signing of Aaron Shand from Turriff United. The 23-year-old forward will spend the next two months with the Black and Golds.
Nairn County, who ended their nine year wait for a win at Clach on Wednesday, host Fraserburgh, who got back to winning ways in the Aberdeenshire Shield with a 2-1 win at Huntly.