Coach in confident mood as players return
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COACH Dave Carson is upbeat about Highland’s prospects for the season after last weekend’s convincing victory over Caithness.
The depth in the squad has been a welcome improvement which counters the steady numbers of players out with injury.
Tam Magowan with a dislocated wrist might just make it back for the end of the season while Richard Sim is out for a good few weeks with cracked ribs after returning from a leg injury picked up in the Bowl Final.
Better news is that skipper and hooker Kevin Brown seems to be over his shoulder scare, although he may start on the bench as a precaution for tomorrow’s league trip to Ellon.
The loss of two good backs may have been a blow but back in are another two outstanding runners with the return of Craig Findlater and Rory Cross. Youngster Oscar Baird will get another start and there will also be a place for Eamon Guinan back from his holidays.
The squad is looking very strong and yet there are eight or so players to come back in as well as five new players who have arrived and will be assessed at training and in the following weekend’s 2nd XV game.
Ellon were a force to be reckoned with some seasons ago but recently have slipped significantly and this season they sit pointless at the bottom of the league with a very large negative points difference.
Carson will want to take full advantage of this while ensuring his side display the same solid defensive work and clinical finishing for a bonus point win.
Highland’s under-18s are having another great season with three wins from three games, putting them level at the top with Stirling County and Currie in the National League.
Their match with Ellon at Canal Park somewhat mirrors the seniors’ game but once again their coaching team led by John Carson will want them to concentrate and not take anything for granted.
On Sunday the under-16s and under-15s both have the benefit of home fixtures as they take on Caithness.
The league form book suggests that the under-16s might have a slightly easier task than the under-15s, but as ever these games with Caithness are always competitive. They might even complete another winning weekend as all seven sides won last weekend.
The under-14s and under-13s are not in action, although the Minis and Micros have their usual 11am training sessions.
