GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup: Full draw for preliminary and first round

Last season's winners Banks o' Dee will host Forres Mechanics in the first round of the competition.

By Andy Skinner

July 7 2023, 3:25 pm

Banks O' Dee celebrate winning the 2023 GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

Banks o’ Dee will begin their defence of the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup with a first round home tie against Forres Mechanics.

The draw for the preliminary and first rounds of the competitions was made at GPH Builders Merchants’ premises in Inverurie on Friday afternoon.

Two preliminary round ties will take place, with Huntly meeting last year’s defeated finalists Inverurie Locos in a local derby encounter, while Wick Academy will host Nairn. Both pf those ties will take place on Saturday, August 12.

Banks O’ Dee’s management team celebrate their GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup victory. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson

The other standout ties from the first round fixtures, which will be held on Saturday, August 26, will see Formartine United host league champions Brechin City.

Fraserburgh will make the short trip to Deveronvale, while Brora Rangers will host Clachnacuddin in an all-Highlands tie.

This year’s competition has been brought forward in the league schedule, with the final to be held on Saturday, October 14.

Dee won last season’s League Cup at the first attempt since joining the Highland League, courtesy of a 1-0 triumph over Locos at Bellslea.