Crucial month ahead for Carson's side
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THE next month will be vital in deciding the outcome of Highland’s season, according to head coach Dave Carson.
Starting with second-placed Glenrothes at Canal Park tomorrow, Highland welcome league leaders Orkney and Gordonians, the side one place above them, to Inverness, with a north derby at Caithness thrown in the middle.
With uncertainty surrounding the promotion situation in the BT Caledonia League Division One — the league winners will definitely be promoted but it is unconfirmed whether the runners-up will be too — Carson wants his side to be in the hat whatever happens at the end of the season.
The pivotal run starts with the visit of Fife side Glenrothes, who edged out Highland 24-22 in the reverse fixture in September.
“It will shape where we are come the end of the season, without a doubt. I think Orkney will be away now but that second spot is up for grabs. We’re desperate for it,” Carson said.
“It’s one of the biggest games of the season and I’ve told the boys that we’ve got the top three sides at home to come, and there’s no reason why we can’t beat them all. That would mean finishing the season unbeaten at home again.”
Glenrothes got a last-minute win at Carleton Park in the first game of the season when Highland were struggling with injuries. Although this set the visitors’ season up nicely the league situation has changed in the New Year and now sees Highland challenging with games in hand.
The Canal Park side’s unbeaten record is something to be proud of. Carson took over as coach in August 2013 and is yet to taste defeat in the Highland Capital, with their last home defeat coming against Caithness in March 2013.
Aside from long-term injury-victim Tam Magowan (wrist), Carson will only be without Gareth High and Morris Dillon for the game tomorrow, as the pair are due to attend Scotland’s RBS Six Nations clash with Italy.
Dave Titterington will come in at outside centre and Craig Findlater, who missed last weekend’s win over Morgan Academy through illness, will come back on the wing. Stuart MacDonald is expected to move from the second row to number eight.
A bonus point win for Highland tomorrow will put them nine points behind Glenrothes in second place, with three games in hand, kickstarting a potential promotion push.
“Some people are saying that only one team is going up, whereas others are saying there’ll be two. Even if there is only one, we’d be delighted to come second in the league in our first season,” said Carson.
“We’re near enough at full strength now, whereas the story of the first half of the season was a catalogue of injuries. It’s made a huge difference having to pick the side every week, rather than having choices forced on you, and having competition for places.”
Carson will also be part of the travelling group that heads to Murrayfield on Sunday to support the club’s under-18 side, as they take on Jed Thistle in the under-18 National Youth League Cup final.
“We’ve got at least one minibus going down and loads of cars,” he said. “It will be brilliant for the boys. Not many sides go to Hawick and win and we’ll be there to cheer them on.”
The 2nd XV travel through to Aberdeen Wanderers on Saturday to face the only other unbeaten side in the division. A win will almost certainly line Highland up for the title. Coaches Alastair McKenzie and James Hay worked hard during the week to ensure a full squad with replacements to try and grab an important victory.
On Sunday, the under-15s are scheduled to play Ellon in the Caledonia Cup at Canal Park while the under-14s and under-13s continue a busy few weeks as they welcome Madras College for a pair of friendly matches. Earlier at 11am the Minis & Micros have their usual training sessions.
