Banks o’ Dee have a target on their backs as they begin the defence of their GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup against Forres Mechanics at Spain Park today.
Dee edged Inverurie Locos 1-0 at Bellslea Park in Fraserburgh last season to lift the trophy for the first time in their debut Highland League campaign.
It was a historic day for the Spain Park side, but co-manager Josh Winton knows they face still competition in their bid to retain the trophy this term.
The Dee co-boss said: “It was great for the club to win the cup last season and the competition really gave the players a focus in the second half of the season.
“It was a great achievement to win the competition.
“As the holders you know you are seen as a scalp and there’s no doubt it is a very competitive cup to try to win.
“But it’s the first round and we’re looking no further than Forres Mechanics on Saturday. You can’t look any further than one round at a time.”
Dee look to maintain Fortress Spain Park
With 10 points from a possible 12, Dee have made a good start in the league but so too have visitors Forres who make the trip to Spain Park with three wins from their opening four games.
There was little between the sides last season, and Winton expects another tough test from Steven MacDonald’s side.
He said: “They’ve had a good start and the feedback we’ve had on them is that their performances have been good.
“If you look back at the games between us last year, there was only a goal between us in two games, with the other one finishing 2-0 to us, so we’re not expecting this one to be any different.
“We’ve been pretty pleased with the performances and three clean sheets has been the biggest thing for us.
“We’ve been very competitive at Spain Park and we’ve spoken about the importance of making sure we use the astro to our benefit and keep a strong home record this year.”
Dean Lawrie is back from offshore, while Luke Emmett faces a late fitness test on a thigh strain.
Can the Can-Cans end Dee’s grip on the cup?
Dee edged Forres 3-2 in the quarter-final on their way to lifting the cup last season, and visiting boss MacDonald believes his side can make the trip to Aberdeen with confidence following their good start to the season.
He said: “Banks o’ Dee deserved to beat us at least a couple of those occasions last season and we’ve got to improve to challenge them on last season’s form.
“They’ve started the season with real intent and we know it will be really tough for us – but it’s the cup, a one-off game and one we’re looking forward to.”
“Other teams might look on paper and say they have had far harder starts than we have, but you still have to go out and win games.
“We’re really pleased after the squad changes in the summer, including losing (striker) Ben Barron. We’re pleased, but we have to keep it going.
“We started well last year and dropped off, so we have to learn from that and there will certainly be hard games to come like this one this weekend.”
Tom Brady returns for the Can-Cans, but Dylan Lawrence will miss the game after suffering an injury in a closed-doors game against Ross County in midweek.
Callum Johnston and Aidan MacDonald are also absent due to work commitments.
Broch and Vale meet again in the cup
Elsewhere in the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup, Formartine United meet Brechin City at North Lodge Park looking to avenge the league champions’ 1-0 win over United at Glebe Park on the first day of the season.
Stuart Anderson’s Pitmedden side will be without key midfielder Graeme Rodger – who required stitches on his knee after last weekend’s league draw with Buckie Thistle – as well as Rhys Thomas, also due to injury, and Ryan Spink, who will serve a suspension which has carried over from last term’s League Cup.
Inverurie Locos are pointless in the Highland League after four games, with their only win so far this season coming in the preliminary round of League Cup – against Huntly, who they then lost to on league duty last weekend.
The Railwaymen travel to Rothes for their first round cup clash, and boss Andy Low will be without Liam Morrison (hamstring) and Sam Burnett (ankle), while Jonny Smith and Jay Halliday are unavailable.
Speysiders gaffer Ross Jack, meanwhile, will be without Iain MacKenzie, Kyle Whyte, Charlie Macdonald and Aidan Wilson.
Strathspey Thistle, who travel to Lossiemouth for their first round tie, are hoping to have more players to choose from after their squad was hit by the flu in the build-up to their 6-0 weekend loss at home to Banks o’ Dee.
However, Jags gaffer Robert MacCormack – also boosted by signing Brora Rangers keeper Ruardhri Nicol on loan until January on Friday – will still be without Jude Fraser, due to an ankle injury, while work commitments mean Dan Whitehorn and Jack Gilliland will be unable to feature.
Goalkeeper Ruardhri Nicol has today joined Strathspey Thistle on loan until January.
We would like to wish Ruardhri all the very best of luck on his loan move. pic.twitter.com/jsRM2QjFO1— Brora Rangers (@brorarangers) August 25, 2023
Fraserburgh and Devervonale meet for the second time in a week in their first round tie.
The Broch, who beat the Banffers 3-2 at Bellslea in the league last weekend, make the trip to Princess Royal Park without Grant Campbell – although the midfielder is due to return to training next week.
Buckie Thistle are without Kevin Fraser and Shaun Wood due to injury as they welcome Turriff United to Victoria Park.
Neil Gauld is still out for Turriff, while boss Dean Donaldson will also be without the suspended Max Foster.
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