Steven MacDonald hopes Forres Mechanics can show the progress they’ve made when Fraserburgh visit Mosset Park.
Last season the Can-Cans were crushed 7-0 and 5-0 in their two meetings with the Broch.
But the Moray outfit have started this term well and sit seventh in the division.
Although they’ve been beaten in their last two outings by Brora Rangers and Buckie Thistle, MacDonald says there are positives to take ahead of today’s encounter with the champions.
The Forres manager said: “I think we’ve played well in the last two games, we’re now looking to try to build on them against another tough opponent in the league champions.
“We need to stop losing goals that are avoidable, we want to make these sides work as hard as possible for their goals.
“The first goals we lost against Brora and Buckie were preventable.
“That makes it very hard because it gives these teams the edge, we want to make Fraserburgh work for everything and hopefully we put up a good fight.
“We want to show the progress we’ve made and I think we’ve done that in a few games already this season.
“We were beaten 7-0 by Rothes last season and managed to beat them this season which is a sign of progress.
“Hopefully we can do something similar against Fraserburgh.”
Young’s surreal game
Midfielder Paul Young has particularly happy memories of Fraserburgh’s trip to Mosset Park last term.
The 30-year-old netted four times in the Broch’s 7-0 success last November.
But looking ahead to this game Young expects a tougher test against a rejuvenated Forres.
He said: “It was quite surreal in that game last season, every time I went forward it seemed like I was putting the ball in the net.
“That certainly doesn’t happen week-in, week-out – I’m pretty sure that was a fluke.
“I hadn’t scored a hat-trick in the Highland League until that point and ended up getting four.
“We know it will be a difficult game, Forres have had a really good result this season.
“We’re fully focused and we’ll need to be on the top of our game to come away with the points.
“We’ve put a good run together (10 games unbeaten in all competitions), we can still do better in some aspects of the game.
“But we’re fairly happy with our form, we’re just looking to tidy up a few things.
“If we do that then hopefully the run can continue.”
News from around the Highland League
Elsewhere, Huntly are set to be without Alex Thoirs and Zander Jack for Brora Rangers’ visit to Christie Park. Joe Malin and Martin Maclean are missing for the Cattachs, who last night confirmed the appointment of former Caley Thistle and Ross County defender Stuart Golabek as their assistant manager.
Sam Burnett and Jay Halliday remain sidelined for Inverurie Locos’ Harlaw Park clash with Keith, who were beaten by Buckie Thistle in midweek.
Locos, meanwhile, confirmed midfielder Lloyd Robertson has signed a new deal to remain at the club until the summer of 2025.
Brechin City face Clachnacuddin in a 2pm kick-off at Glebe Park with Jamie Bain likely to miss out for the Hedgemen.
Strathspey Thistle, buoyed by their first victory and first clean sheet in midweek, meet bottom-of-the-table Banks o’ Dee at Seafield Park.
Dylan Stuart, Ewan Clark, Ethan Smith, Owen Kinsella and Keir Smith are doubts for Turriff United’s trip to Nairn, the Wee County are in good form picking up seven points from their last three games.
Wick Academy and Deveronvale will both look to bounce back from 3-0 midweek defeats at Harmsworth Park.
Attacker Robert Scott has made his move from Deveronvale to Islavale permanent following a loan spell at the NRJFA Championship side.