Dave Carson targets unbeaten season as Highland seek seventh league win
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Highland have started the season with six wins out of six in BT Caledonia Division One and Carson believes his side are now the big scalp that other teams will look to take.
Mackie are struggling big time and are level on points with Hillfoots in the relegation zone.
They did, however, pick up their first win of the season a week ago at home to Carnoustie.
Understandably, the visitors are in confident mood ahead of Saturday’s clash and a further five points is the aim for a side looking to sweep all before them this season.
“Without a doubt, we’re looking to go the season unbeaten,” said Carson. “The boys are committed and showing with strong defence that they desperately don’t want anyone to cross that try line.
“It’s definitely a game we should be winning.
“There’s always that potential for them to produce something special but if we play like we did against Gordonians, we should be winning.”
The two hard games against Gordonians has given rise to a few injuries, with full-back Richard Sim picking up a shoulder knock and centre Rory Cross feeling his knee.
So both are rested and direct replacements will be David Titterington and Iain Crush respectively.
Number eight Stuart MacDonald did not train on Tuesday after a head knock and he will face an assessment before his selection is finalised. The pressure to win is ongoing with a bonus point essential to maintain the title race with both Gordonians and Glenrothes looking to do the same, as well as hoping for Highland to slip up.
“Everyone will want the scalp of beating us now, after we’ve beaten the league leaders,” added Carson. “It’s up to us to make sure we’re at 100 per cent every week.”
Highland’s second XV have been kicking their heels too many times this season but they have received confirmation that Fraserburgh will travel to Canal Park for this Saturday’s fixture.
Also in BT Caledonia League Division Three North third placed Inverness Craig Dunain travel the opposite way along the A96 as they play Peterhead.
They are currently sitting third, one place above Highland, and will need to pick themselves up from their Bowl defeat to keep up their good run in the league.
At junior level Highland’s teams all face West of Scotland in the President’s Conference. The under-18s travel to Burnbrae on Saturday while the under-16s and under-15s make the same trip on Sunday. The under-14s and under-13s have home advantage on Sunday.
Highland’s Minis and Micros have their usual 11am Sunday sessions.
At Tuesday evening’s training former Scottish International Alan Tait was at Canal Park leading a defence workshop for players and coaches from all over the region. It was a great evening with some important skills outlined and practiced. Highland’s senior squad also benefited from an individual 20-minute session.
