Clachnacuddin manager Conor Gethins expects Brora Rangers to come out all guns blazing in a bid to salvage Highland League title hopes
Conor Gethins expects Clach to face a Brora Rangers stampede in the opening minutes of Saturday’s showdown.
The Merkinch club will host Sutherland visitors hellbent on ensuring they suffer no further slippage in the title race after back-to-back defeats prior to Wednesday’s return to winning ways against Keith.
Manager Gethins knows that Steven Mackay’s men will be fired up from the off having returned to the top of the Highland League on goal difference over Brechin City, who lost 1-0 to Inverurie Locos midweek.
Back in December, Troy Cooper and James Anderson pounced to shoot the Lilywhites to a memorable 2-1 triumph at Dudgeon Park in the league.
But Gethins also recalls the 6-1 thumping Brora gave his side in October’s North of Scotland Cup final.
“Yes, we beat them up there in the league, that was fine. We were on it that night, they were probably off it a wee bit,” Gethins recalled.
“But they gave us a right going over in the final – absolutely battered us.
“It was 6-1, but could have been 12 if it wasn’t for our goalkeeper Joe Malin, who did unbelievably well.
“We know that they can hurt us. By the same measure, they will be cautious of us because we played very well in the victory.
“We’ve added Greg Morrison to the team since then and Josh Meekings and Harry Nicolson weren’t playing that day.
“We’ll be a wee bit stronger, but it is just whether we can contain them because we know they are going to come after us at 100 miles per hour in the first 10-15 minutes, which they do very well.
“Their team is littered with talent, experience and deadly finishers. It is going to be a very tough afternoon.
“The 2-1 defeat we inflicted on them will be completely irrelevant come Saturday afternoon.”
Gethins doesn’t believe title nerves will affect Brora, even if Clach resist that anticipated early barrage.
But the former Ross County striker doesn't expect the Sutherland side to get it all their own way.
“They recently lost two games on the bounce and that’s very uncharacteristic.
“Steven Mackay will have them really rallied up after facing Keith in midweek.
“I think it will be very competitive, with two very attack-minded teams, when we play them at our ground.
“It is just who can unlock the chances and who can defend the chances on the day.”
Gethins, while gutted to lose away to a young Turriff United side last weekend, added: “I thought we could have won a couple of games with the chances we created.
“Hats off to Turriff, they defended really well and their goalkeeper was exceptional.
“We’ve had a good run. We can’t win every game.
“The reaction from the Turriff players and supporters showed us where we are now. No disrespect to Turriff, but they were very excited to beat us.
“It showed me where we are now as a team, and what people now think about us.”
Clach’s only squad absentees are injured Joe Malin and Jack Mackay.
