Harry Noble is hoping Deveronvale can secure local bragging rights in the first of two derbies against Buckie Thistle.
The sides meet at Princess Royal Park this afternoon in round one of the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup before Wednesday’s rematch at the same venue in the Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield.
With Buckie top of the Breedon Highland League and the Banffers 16th the Jags will start as favourites.
But Vale captain Noble – who is from Buckie and previously played for Thistle – is keen to spring a surprise.
The 27-year-old defender said: “We know it will be a tough game.
“I’m good pals with a lot of Buckie supporters. With us not doing so well just now I’ve been getting it tight from a few people so there would be nothing better than to get through to next round.
“At the start of the season it’s the fixture you always look out for, it’s important for the fans and as players it’s not a game you want to be losing.”
Jags boss Graeme Stewart added: “There’s always a lot riding on Deveronvale v Buckie fixtures. The fans get rowdy and the game can be quite meaty.
“The cups are very important to us because we need to win something.
“I think over the last three years people realise we’ve been a top team.
“But in that time it’s been Fraserburgh, Brora and Rothes that have won trophies and we haven’t.
“We need to step up and win a trophy a season, ideally two, and the cups are where we’ve got an opportunity to do that.”