It could be back to the future for striker Kennedy
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IAIN Polworth could hand forward Mark Kennedy a return to Grant Street Park after he played as a trialist for Clach last weekend.
Kennedy spent four years with the Lilywhites after joining from Brora Rangers in 2009 and the Lilies manager has hinted he could be in line for a deal.
Polworth was short of attacking options for the trip to Buckie Thistle in the Highland League opener and handed Kennedy a start, alongside Fraser Robertson and Ian Penwright.
With four summer signings already in – Duncan Jones, Paul Smith, Ross MacKillop and James Beeston – and Struan Scott-Woodhouse re-signing, Polworth is primed to add further to his squad in the coming weeks.
He said: "Mark has been away from the Highland League for a while, but has been playing in the juniors and amateur league. He’s got the hunger for the game back and feels he’s got a lot to prove.
"We are short of forward options so hopefully we can get something done on that side."
Defender David McGurk also featured in the 4-0 opening day defeat, but as a trialist. Rather than follow in the footsteps of his centre back partner from last season Gordon Morrison and retire, veteran McGurk wanted to see how his body held up through pre-season before committing his future to the Merkinchers.
A bonus for Polworth from the Buckie defeat was the performance of Struan Scott-Woodhouse, who played his first game in over two years and completed 90 minutes at Victoria Park.
After damaging his anterior cruciate ligament on multiple occasions and requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation to fix the problem, the former ICT youngster is fit and ready to go again.
He is line for a second consecutive start as Clach face Keith in their home opener on Saturday. Blair Lawrie (suspension) and Stuart Leslie (holiday) should both be back after missing the Buckie game, although Liam Shewan is on holiday.
Polworth added: "Both Stuart and Blair will give us options on the offensive side of the park and give us a cutting edge, which we didn’t have against Buckie."
The hosts were three clear at half-time last weekend, with Andy Low, Ceiran McLean and John McLeod all finding the back of the net. McLeod grabbed a second with three minutes remaining for a Buckie side that included ex-Clach players Andy Skinner and Sam Urquhart.
