Clachnacuddin look for fireworks to get back to winning ways
Conor Gethins expects pre-Bonfire Night fireworks for supporters as the blue touch paper is lit between two sides unexpectedly challenging the Highland League’s established powers.
Clachnacuddin, sitting sixth in the table with two games in hand on four teams above them, host a Forres Mechanics side fresh from shock victories over Buckie Thistle and Brechin City.
Gethins admires what the Mosset Park men have achieved so far this season, but is determined to extend the single point advantage the Lilywhites enjoy in the league.
“Last year, Forres finished just above ourselves and people probably would have expected both teams to be down there in the league this year again,” the Irishman stressed.
“But Steven MacDonald has recruited really well. He’s got a good, settled team and it seems like almost the same team that plays every week.
“That’s important for any team and manager, to know exactly what they’re going out with.
“He’s brought in (ex-Ross County and Brora Rangers striker) Kyle MacLeod, a big player for them and a focal point in the team.
“I’ve not seen the young lad Jordan Alonge as yet, but apparently he’s a very good player.
“It will be a tough game. I hope it is going to be an end-to-end game, because I think both teams have got some flair.
“It will all come down to who wants it the most and who defends better.”
While Gethins is aware of the Can Cans breathing down their necks in the league table, he also has the likes of Formartine United and Inverurie Locos in his sights, just above the Grant Street Park hosts.
“It is a very funny league this year.,” Gethins said.
“I thought teams would have come at us a bit quicker.
“We’re a third of the way through the season and sitting sixth, with a couple of games in hand on teams above us.
“It will be nice to see where we are halfway through the campaign, rather than riding this wave at the minute.
“Forres will be riding the wave, too, which is good for them.”
League form has been superb and consistent for Clach, but they fell short in a 6-0 drubbing by Brora in the North of Scotland Cup final before falling flat in a 3-0 away defeat in the Scottish Cup second round against Linlithgow Rose on Saturday.
Gethins will look to get those two intense outings the cups out of his players’ system, with focus turning to re-asserting defensive stability.
“The league is most important to us, just to show where we are, and we want to get back to what we’ve been doing,” he said.
“We can’t lie down now after just a couple of very tricky games.
“We obviously lost both those games, coming from a good defensive record to losing nine goals in two games.
“That’s the most important thing to put right because goals will also come for us.
“It is something we really focused on from last year and we need to get back on track that way.”
