Shane Carling insists Loch Ness have their eyes on nothing less than a North Caledonian League title push this season.
Loch Ness enjoyed a successful first full season in the division last term, finishing second in the table.
Carling’s side had led the title race for much of the campaign, but were eventually pipped by Invergordon who won the championship by just two points.
Having come so close last term, Carling insists his side is intent on going a step further.
NEXT MATCH! ⚫️🟡⚫️
On Saturday we are hosting @StDuthusFC in @NorthCaleyFA action at King George V Park in Fortrose with a 14:00 kick off time. #FORZALOCHNESS pic.twitter.com/II987p864d
— Loch Ness Football Club (@LochNessFC) September 21, 2022
Carling said: “Our target last year was top four, and we got that.
“At the end of the day we should have won the league, but we never. Fair play to Invergordon, who went on and won their games when we couldn’t.
“There’s only one thing we are looking to do this season, which is to do better than we did last year.
“Anything less than what we did last year is underachievement.
“Having come second, we really want to go for the title now. That’s the only thing we can really do.
“It’s going to be a hard ask but that, along with making the cup final, is our aim.”
Experience added to Loch Ness ranks
Although Loch Ness are still missing a number of players, Carling is hopeful the addition of some experienced campaigners bolstered his pool.
Carling added: “We have started off better than we did last year, when we won our first two games then got beaten by Invergordon.
“This year we drew our first game, but we have won our last two so we are a point better off.
“We also beat Invergordon, which was a big statement against the champions.
“We have added a lot more experience this year. There is Allan MacPhee, who has played Highland League since he was 16, and is a massive player for us.
“James Fraser is another player with Highland League experience, who was part of Buckie Thistle’s side when they won the title. We have brought in Scott Morrison, along with Keith Mason who has won in the juniors, the North Caledonian League and the Highland Amateurs.”
Second-placed Loch Ness will aim to keep up their unbeaten start to the campaign when they host St Duthus on Saturday, with Carling anticipating a difficult encounter against a side sitting just a point behind them.
He added: “It’s a massive game on Saturday. They have started off really well.
“Alan Geegan is a good manager and good coach who has got them well drilled.
“It’s definitely a game I think we can win, and if we do it’s a massive three points.”
Champions stand in way of Athletic’s 100% record
Leaders Inverness Athletic host champions Invergordon, who are looking to register their first points of the campaign in an intriguing encounter.
Fort William will go into their trip to Halkirk United in a buoyant mood, following a 5-1 victory over Orkney last weekend.
The Islanders will be keen to bounce back from that loss, when they host Alness United.
Elsewhere, Golspie Sutherland are looking to keep up a 100% start to the campaign at home to Nairn County reserves, while Bonar Bridge host Thurso.
Conversation