Cove Rangers open their Scottish Cup campaign with preliminary round trip to North Caledonian League side Golspie Sutherland this afternoon.
Manager John Sheran is disappointed his side has had to play in the preliminary round of the competition and said: “We know if we don’t perform properly then Golspie will give us a really tough game.”
Defenders Alan Redford, Stuart Walker and Eric Watson are all carrying knocks after the midweek Aberdeenshire Cup win against Turriff and Sheran added: “We will bring in a couple of the younger players to freshen things up.”
In the Press and Journal Highland League champions Brora Rangers should be at full strength for Keith’s visit to Dudgeon Park.
Brora have scored 19 goals in their last two games, 11 against Rothes and another eight at Buckie last weekend.
Wick Academy are expected to be at full-strength for their home game against Fort William after their midweek 2-1 North Cup win at Clachnacuddin. Fort have defenders Darren Quigg, Iain Foggo, and Scott Chisholm out with work commitments while midfielders Richie Munro and Barna Tot are both injured but goalkeepers Dougie MacLellan and Robin Harvey return.
Clach, still smarting from losing out to a Wick penalty in added-time, welcome back midfielder Blair Lawrie for Rothes’ visit to Grant Street, while the Speysiders have a doubt about defender Liam Donaldson who has an ankle injury while midfield pair Kyle Gauld and Stuart Hodge, and goalkeeper Matthew Mackie are all on holiday.