Marcus Goodall hopes Buckie Thistle can spring a surprise against Falkirk in the Premier Sports Cup – and upset one of his friends in the process.
The Jags take on the Bairns in their second League Cup Group B fixture at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Although the Breedon Highland League champions are underdogs against full-time Falkirk, who romped to the League One title last term, midfielder Goodall is daring to dream.
Thistle causing a shock would also earn the 22-year-old some bragging rights.
Goodall said: “One of my pals is a Falkirk fan because his dad and his dad’s family are Falkirk fans.
“He comes to Buckie games as well, but he’s a Falkirk fan and there’s lots of banter about it within our group of friends.
“There aren’t many Buckie fans in Falkirk, and if we were able to get a result, one of the first things I’d be doing afterwards would be messaging him.
“Falkirk will be really good and we know it will be a tough test for us, but it’s good to be involved in games like this.
“When we were in the League Cup in 2022 we drew with Ross County after going 1-0 up and we had chances to win it.
“We’ve shown before we can cause problems and score goals against these kind of teams.
“Hopefully we can do that again when we play Falkirk, and if we get our noses in front, who knows what could happen.”
Familiar face could cause problems
One of Falkirk’s chief threats is someone Goodall knows well – striker Ross MacIver, who scored in their win against Dundee United last weekend.
MacIver started out at Ross County and has also played for Elgin City, Motherwell, Morton, Partick Thistle and Alloa before joining the Bairns last year.
Goodall was in Ross County’s youth set-up at the same time, and Buckie centre-back Sam Morrison also played in the same Staggies team as MacIver.
Goodall added: “When the draw for the League Cup happened, I shared it on social media and Ross messaged me about it.
“It’ll be good to have a catch up with him because he’s a good lad and it’s good seeing him doing well in full-time football.
“Ross has got the number nine shirt for Falkirk this season, which speaks volumes.
“We know we’ll need to try to keep Ross quiet – but that won’t be easy.
“Sam Morrison played in the same team as Ross for a long time at Ross County, so hopefully he knows how to keep him quiet.”
Weekend cup and friendly action
Elsewhere, Highland League Brechin City play their third game in Group F of the League Cup on Saturday.
The Hedgemen welcome Alloa to Glebe Park and will hope to build on encouraging displays in defeats against St Johnstone and Morton.
A number of Highland League sides are also in friendly action again on Saturday afternoon.
Banks o’ Dee host former Junior foes Hermes at Spain Park (2pm) and Brora Rangers face Lochee United at Thomson Park (1pm).
Deveronvale welcome Maud to Princess Royal Park (2pm) and Forres Mechanics play a Ross County XI behind closed doors at the Highland Football Academy in Dingwall (12pm).
Fraserburgh visit Dundee to take on Broughty Atletic (2.30pm), Huntly meet Banchory St Ternan at Milton Park (2pm) and Inverurie Locos travel to Holm Park for a clash with Clydebank (3pm).
Lossiemouth tackle Arbroath Vics at Ogilvy Park (3pm) and Nairn County face Dyce at Station Park (2pm).
There is an all-Highland League encounter at Mackessack Park where Rothes play Turriff United (3pm).
Strathspey Thistle clash with Lossiemouth United at Phoenix Park (2pm).
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