Elated Loch Ness manager Shane Carling insists being in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup draw was bigger than the final itself to the North Caledonian League champions.
The Fortrose-based side’s reward for winning the NCL title last term was a place in the first preliminary round for the first time and Wednesday’s draw pitched them in against Perthshire opponents Luncarty.
The Bleachers were promoted to the East of Scotland Premier Division last season after finishing third in the First Division. They also won the Alex Jack Cup and Cup Winners Shield.
Twelve months ago, Loch Ness were preparing for a title bid, having been pipped by Invergordon in 2021/22, so dreams of being in the Scottish Cup were just that.
We will face @LuncartyFC in the first preliminary round of the @ScottishCup.
Our first ever game in the Scottish Cup, more details to follow. #FORZALOCHNESS pic.twitter.com/1H7jHH7syg
— Loch Ness Football Club (@LochNessFC) July 27, 2023
‘Everyone is going to be up for this’
And that’s why being involved for the first time means so much after only two full years in their division.
Carling said: “A year ago, all we were thinking about was focusing on the league. We wanted to go one step further and win the title and we achieved that.
“If we can go there with 90% of our squad, I don’t see why we can’t compete. Everyone is going to be up for this. This is bigger than a cup final for Loch Ness.
“It will be two teams going at it, who don’t know about another, buzzing about the seasons we’ve just had.
“They might feel they have a better chance, especially having the home tie. They’ll be expecting to win, but it’s a one-off game and we will work and battle and see what happens.”
New manager in place at Luncarty
Carling will be gleaning more details on Luncarty, but he knows already they will be tough opponents.
However, he’s confident his league winners can make this a competitive tie on Saturday, August 12.
He said: “Listen, they are a good team. They’re in their top division now after being promoted and won two pieces of silverware last season. Their (Alex Jack (Cup) win took them into the Scottish Cup, so they will be confident.
“They’ve signed a few players and they’ve a new manager (Jason McCrindle) and there’s a buzz about their club right now.
“We don’t know a huge amount about them now, but I don’t think they will know too much about us yet. It will come down to who wants it more.
“It’s two weeks on Saturday, so we’re sorting out buses and trying to a bit of a fanbase to come down with us.
“We’re a semi-pro team and only been in the North Caley for two full seasons.
“For us to be in the Scottish Cup is a massive achievement. Even if we get knocked out in the first preliminary round, we’ll have at least made it.
“There are a lot of clubs in the North Caledonian League who have never been there, so just to be here is massive.”
Group chat ‘was wild’ following draw
As history unfolded, Carling said the squad were fixed to the live stream as the draw was made.
He added: “Everyone knew about the draw, so we had the group chat on the go and we were all watching it on our phones. The group chat was pretty wild for a couple of hours afterwards.
“We were all Googling to find out more about Luncarty as soon as the draw was made, but I know a good few people who know about them or have played against them.”
The new season is edging closer…
The full details from tonight's three @scottishgas Scottish Cup and @scottishgas Women's Scottish Cup Preliminary Round draws at @hampdenbowling are below 🏆#ScottishCup
— Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) July 26, 2023
The winner of the tie will be away to Newton Stewart in the second preliminary round.
The Dumfries and Galloway club finished fifth in the 12-team South of Scotland League this year.
Bankies are heading for Claggan Park
Two other NCL sides discovered their Scottish Cup opponents for the second preliminary round, with one going nowhere and the other hitting the road.
Clydebank, who were fourth in the West of Scotland Premier League last season, are the visitors to Fort William.
Two years ago, the Bankies, who are bossed by Gordon Moffat, made it to the fourth round of the cup before being pipped in extra-time by Annan Athletic.
🏆| #ScottishCup
We will welcome Clydebank FC to Claggan Park in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Preliminary Round Two.
The tie is due to take place the weekend of Saturday, 2 September 2023.
— Fort William FC (@FortWilliamFC) July 26, 2023
Alan Gray’s Fort, who have bolstered their squad extensively this summer, will relish the chance to lock horns with a recognised name in Scottish football.
Borders bus trip for Golspie players
The bus will be booked, meanwhile, for Golspie Sutherland for their epic journey to Hawick Royal Albert, who have just been relegated from the East of Scotland League Second Division.
It will be a 10-and-a-half-hour round trip of more than 500 miles for Sutherland side Golspie, who under Mark McKernie finished sixth last term in the NCL.
These ties will be played on Saturday, September 2.
Our Scottish Cup Prelim round 2 draw https://t.co/cJYxzF32mW
— Golspie Sutherland (@GolspieSuthFC) July 26, 2023