Highland aim to maintain play-off pressure
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HIGHLAND will hope to keep up their play-off momentum as they head to basement side Ellon this weekend.
With the promotion situation in the Caledonia League Division One unclear - the champions will definitely go up but the runners-up do not know if they will - and three games already lost this season, Dave Carson’s side cannot afford any slip-ups between now and the end of the campaign.
Fellow promotion challengers Glenrothes were disposed of last weekend and Highland have three big games to come — a north derby away at Caithness next week, followed by home ties against league leaders Orkney and third-placed Gordonians.
The travellers retain a near full strength squad and, given the difficult season that Ellon have had, Carson expects his side to return home with a big win and five league points.
Training has been hampered by the return of winter weather, forcing a cancellation of Tuesday evening’s session. Thursday was important in assessing any injuries and some changes to the line-up are likely.
Richard Sim is unavailable so his place will be covered by the return of Morris Dillon, while in the pack Carson has another option with the return of regular number eight Gareth High.
Highland are in the race for the possible second promotion slot and, having knocked Glenrothes out of the running last Saturday, it leaves Gordonians as the only rival.
Highland’s under-18s will still be hurting from their close defeat to Jed Thistle in the final of the National Cup last Sunday, but the quest for silverware is not over as they take on islanders Orkney at Canal Park this Saturday in the Caledonia Cup.
Coaches John Carson and Andrew Call will be keen to see they end their season on a high and will have them well prepared as usual for the 1pm kick-off.
The only action on Sunday will be the 11am training sessions for the Mini and Micro sections.
