Turriff United goalkeeper Kevin Main is looking to put up the shutters against his former Buckie Thistle team-mates at the Haughs today.
It is looking increasingly like a two-horse Highland League title race between Turriff and reigning champions Brora Rangers but the vastly experienced Main knows exactly what it takes to lift the title.
However, the 32-year Buckie-based roofer, who played an integral part in then Jags manager Gregg Carrol’s back-to-back title triumphs in seasons 2009-10 and 2010-11, would not be drawn on his team’s title chances.
He said: “We are going well but obviously our manager, Ross Jack, is making sure everyone is keeping their feet on the ground.
“Brora are strong favourites to retain the title but we will take it one game at a time. Hopefully, we can keep on winning to put a wee but of pressure on them.”
Looking ahead to this afternoon’s game, Main added: “We won 3-0 in the corresponding fixture at Victoria Park at the end of October and, hopefully, we can do the double tomorrow.
“It really is great that Graeme Roy, the former Rothes manager, who was my goalkeeping coach at Buckie for more than 10 years, and also during those title winning seasons, is now with me at Turriff. We get on really well together and he knows my game inside out.”
Jags manager Graeme Stewart believes his side will have to be at its best this afternoon to take something from the game.
He said: “Turriff are flying high while we have had one or two dodgy results lately.
“I know all about their goalkeeper, Kevin Main, as I played in two title winning Buckie sides with him.
“He and Brora number one Joe Malin are the two best goalkeepers in the league. I know how hard it will be for ourselves to get a goal past Kevin.”
Jags make the trip without suspended pair Lewis MacKinnon and Jay Cheyne.
Bottom-of-the-table Rothes are without midfield quartet Paul Winton, Kenny Mair, Struan McArthur and Lewis Mackay for the visit of a full strength Fort William to Mackessack Park.
Strathspey Thistle’s 3-2 midweek win away to Keith lifted the Grantown side off the bottom. Thistle will have to keep a close eye on attacker Conor Gethins if they are to take anything from this afternoon’s home encounter against Nairn County.