Football clubs are set to clash in Inverness derby on Saturday
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Inverness Athletic and Loch Ness are set to clash on derby day tomorrow at Inverness Royal Academy as the North Caledonian League season resumes.
Loch Ness went through the first half of the season undefeated as they currently lead the division by 10 points.
Inverness Athletic are on course for their best ever finish in the league, as they sit in third place in the table, but are 16 points behind the leaders.
Manager Shane Carling is keen Loch Ness don’t implode like last season, when a poor second half of the campaign cost them the title to Invergordon.
But he believes they are a stronger team to the one he had 12 months ago.
“We had the same conversation at Christmas last year about how well we were doing,” he said.
“We were in a similar position with the amount of points we were clear by.
“But we are in a good position after 14 games, we have played everyone once and have beaten Invergordon twice which is massive.
“But St Duthus have two games in hand and if they win those they are only four points behind.”
Inverness Athletic manager Stuart Ross knows their title chances are practically over given the 16 point gap with the top.
But he wants them to achieve their best finish in their history.
“We played Nairn County in a friendly on Wednesday night and were looking to get minutes into the lads’ legs,” he said.
“Loch Ness have been really consistent this season, but the last match we played against them was pretty tight.
“It was encouraging signs in that game that we are able to compete against them.
“We just need to put in the same application and see where it gets us.
“We’re not title contenders, but our remit was to finish higher than last year and get the youth development going at the club.
“We are doing both things at the moment.”
Dominic Macaulay is set to return for Athletic for the first time since September after recovering from an injured ankle.
Aidan Hersee is also back from a knee problem to be available for selection.
