Deveronvale bid to build on their encouraging 4-1 weekend win over Lossiemouth when they face Turriff United at the Haughs in the quarter-final of the Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield tonight.
Having been beaten heavily at Brora in their previous outing, manager Ally MacLeod is pleased to have restored some confidence ahead of the cup tie.
He said: “Our performance against Lossie was a vast improvement from the previous week’s game against Brora Rangers.
“Turriff manager Ross Jack was in the stand at the weekend and they will obviously have seen that we do have strengths.”
MacLeod knows motivation will not be needed for tonight’s match. He said: “This game should take care of itself. Turriff have been going really well. We are looking forward to the cup tie as it gives a little break from the league campaign and hopefully we can reach the semi-final.”
Former Huntly forward Michele Lombardi is not available against United as he was not signed before the original tie was postponed last week but fellow new signings Stuart Leslie and Sean Keith are both in the squad.
Turriff United manager Ross Jack said: “We know it will be tough game as they have players who can hurt you if given space and time on the ball.
“We will probably start as favourites but we certainly won’t be taking them lightly as it is a cup derby.
“We know that in games like this the form book can go out of the window, so we will be very wary of the danger they possess.”