Jack Murray wants to help Buckie Thistle win trophies and knows game like today’s GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup quarter-final are key to realising that dream.
The Jags take on Formartine United at North Lodge Park in the last eight of the League Cup this afternoon.
The Buckie squad assembled by manager Graeme Stewart over the last couple of years has impressed without yet winning silverware.
Defender Murray is eager to change that and the 22-year-old said: “Formartine are a really difficult team to play against and it’s a tough test going to Pitmedden.
“It’s an important cup game for us and we know we need to start delivering for the club and the fans.
“We know how big a game it is because we need to be winning trophies for the club.
“We want to take that step and if we could win silverware this season I think we could kick on and do it on a more regular basis.
“That’s what Buckie fans expect and it’s what they deserve as well for the backing they give us.
“If you want to win anything you need to go to tough places like North Lodge Park and get victories.”
United ready for round three
This is the third meeting between Formartine and Buckie this season. The Pitmedden men won the first on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup.
Thistle prevailed 2-1 in the Breedon Highland League a month ago and Formartine boss Stuart Anderson is relishing this encounter.
He added: “Buckie are one of the best teams in the league so it’s going to be a very difficult game.
“Both teams have got players that can hurt each other so I think it’s very much in the balance.
“They’ve put together a really talented squad, but as a player this is a game you should relish because it’s a chance to test yourself against one of the best sides.
“We’ve done fine in these games so far this season. From my own experience as a player this is the sort of game you would get excited about.
“So I’m sure our boys are looking forward to it.”
Dee and Can-Cans eye last four
Elsewhere in the Highland League Cup, Banks o’ Dee and Forres Mechanics are both aiming to keep alive their hopes of winning silverware this season when they clash at Spain Park.
Dee boss Jamie Watt said: “It’s a huge occasion for us. We beat Brora in the last round and you don’t want to knock out the defending champions and then not take advantage of a home tie in the next round.
“We’re under no illusions Forres are a strong team who have been doing well this season.
“It’s the first time we’ve been in the cup but we want to grasp the opportunity and if we can get through that’s brilliant.”
Can-Cans counterpart Steven MacDonald added: “It’s all about trying to go as far as you can, but there are a lot of good teams left in the competition and Banks o’ Dee are one of them.
“There are still little things with us and moments where we still show naivety.
“But I think we’ve played pretty well over the last couple of months and generally I’m happy with the way the team’s progressing.”
The draw for the semi-final of the Highland League Cup is set to take place in January with the games scheduled for March.
News from three league clashes
There are also three Highland League games this afternoon.
Keith are missing Luke Emmett, Przemyslaw Nawrocki, Tom Andrews, Connor Grant and Scott Gray for Fraserburgh’s visit to Kynoch Park. The Broch are without Ryan Cowie, Lewis Davidson and Jamie Beagrie.
Wick Academy make the trip to Christie Park to face Huntly with Ross Allan, Sean Munro, Jamie Flett, James Mackintosh, Mark Munro, Sean Campbell, David Allan, Alan Farquhar and Brandon Sinclair absent.
At Seafield Park, Strathspey Thistle against Rothes is a 2pm kick-off. Daniel Whitehorn, Thomas McInnes and Michael McCallum return for the hosts.
The visitors are without Ryan McRitchie, Shane Harkness, Gregg Main and Matheus Machado while Ewan Neil and Ben Johnstone are doubts.