Inverness hoping for improved season
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
OPTIMISM is high in the Inverness camp ahead of tomorrow’s Marine Harvest North Division One match against Lochcarron at Bught Park.
One point gleaned from the first two matches of the season is hardly a startling statistic, but joint team manager James MacDougall is adamant that the numbers game is misleading and that it masks a new-found, positive atmosphere at the club.
"We finished the 2011 season on something of a downer, but there is a huge change this year and I am convinced our results will start to show a steady improvement," he said.
"Training sessions have been well attended and we are building on the blocks put in place by athletics coach Charles Bannerman, who took the squad sessions during the pre-season.
"I was very encouraged by our performance against Beauly and again against Strathglass where I thought we could just have easily picked up both points."
But it is not all plain sailing at the Bught as MacDougall and his managerial colleague Steve Munro face a few problems ahead of the match against Lochcarron.
Club stalwart Davie Glass injured a hand against Beauly and is still troubled by the injury. He is expected to play through the pain barrier, but Davie Higham’s ankle problem, which kept him out of the Strathglass match, is unlikely to have healed in time and he faces a last minute fitness test.
Definitely missing will be defender Ewan MacLeod with the former Inveraray player away at his erstwhile Royal Burgh colleague Andrew McMurdo’s stag night.
"We are no different from any other club in that we struggle to consistently field our strongest line-up," said MacDougall. "But for any of the lads coming into the squad, it is an opportunity to stake their claim".
MacDougall rejected the notion that the Lochcarron match is exactly the type that his side should be targeting full points from if they harbour notions of improving on last season’s second bottom finish.
"I have the utmost respect for Lochcarron and in truth I don’t expect any easy matches in the league," he said. "Every match is going to be tough and with 18 matches on the schedule, I expect it to be close at the top and bottom of the league".
Elsewhere, league leaders Beauly are away at Caberfeidh, who are seeking their first points of the new season.
Cabers welcome back Ally Maclennan from suspension and the former under-21 player is becoming an increasingly influential figure at Castleod.
Martin MacDonald serves his suspension after being red carded against Skye, but otherwise the Strathpeffer side is expected to be along familiar lines.
Beauly will be looking to maintain their strong start to the season, but recently have found Caberfeidh a difficult nut to crack with two defeats and a draw in the 2011 season.
David MacLean limped off against Lochcarron with a knee injury and he faces a late fitness test ahead of this encounter.
In the final match, Strathglass are in Skye to face an island side still reeling from their 7-1 humbling at the hands of Lochaber last Saturday.
The Strath showed up well in patches against Inverness last weekend and coach Robert Geddes will be aiming to build on that encouraging start.
In the Orion Group Premiership, league leaders Lovat are idle with their scheduled opponents Inveraray being granted a free Saturday to allow the squad attend McMurdo’s pre-wedding celebrations.
Meanwhile, Glenurquhart are awaiting confirmation if their match against Kyles at Tighnabruaich will go ahead as planned with doubts surrounding the state of Kyles pitch after drainage works were carried out during the winter. A match transfer will be ordered if the pitch is deemed unplayable.
Team boss Drew MacNeil will be looking for a pick up in the performance after the side’s surprise home defeat by Inveraray.
Newtonmore look to take over at the top when they play Kinlochshiel, who themselves would lead the table with a win over the reigning champions.
Kingussie face Fort William at the Dell, while Bute entertain Kilmallie with the Canal Parks side seeking their first points of the season.
