Highland League season kicks off on Saturday

THE Highland League season gets underway on Saturday.

Two Moray clubs meet each other on day one when Keith play host to Forres Mechanics.

Keith boss Dean Donaldson saw defenders Ryan Spink, Jason Thornton and Scott Begg limp off in Monday night's 7-1 friendly defeat at Banks o' Dee.

All three are doubtful while new signing Marc Young also misses out along with Bradley Manson.

"It was an absolute nightmare, it was just one game too many," said Donaldson on this week's defeat.

Forres are without centre back Graham Fraser, whose twin brother Lee is out for the season with a knee injury.

Stuart Soane is set to deputise in defence with new signing Andy Macrae playing a lone striking role.

"Hopefully we can have everybody else fit and available for Saturday to try and get an important win for the first game of the season," said Forres manager Charlie Rowley.

Rothes are expected to rack up a big win in their opening game at home to last year's bottom side Fort William.

Manager Steven MacDonald may be without player assistant Daniel Moore who has missed pre-season with a calf problem.

New skipper Jamie Duff and fellow summer signings Martin MacDonald, Scott Graham and striker Steven Anderson are expected to make their debuts.

"It's a game that we should win comfortably," said MacDonald.

"What we've got to guard against is that everybody is expecting that and we've got to be professional in what we are trying to do."

Lossiemouth's trip to Deveronvale is new manager Joe Russell's first game in charge of the Coasters.

He is without striker Ross Archibald while James Mclaren is a doubt, meaning youngsters like Brodie Allen, Bayley Campbell and Callum Clark could get a chance.

"The young boys will definitely get a chance," said Russell.

Vale have signed midfielder Leszek Nowosielski from Turriff, who is unavailable until a few weeks into the season.

Buckie Thistle don't have their problems to seek for the home clash with Inverurie Locos.

Already missing long term injuries like John McLeod, Sam Urquhart, Shaun Wood and Hamish Munro, Jags have Andy Skinner and Drew Copeland out injured, Shaun Carrol on his honeymoon and Keiran Adams away offshore.

Scott Adams and Sam Robertson, both former loan signings will make their first appearance as permanently signed Jags.

"We're looking to make a big improvement on last season," said manager Graeme Stewart.

Elsewhere Brora host Wick, champions Cove welcome Clach to their brand new Balmoral Stadium to unfurl the league flag, and Fraserburgh are at home to Strathspey.

Huntly kick off at home to Turriff United and Formartine United meet Nairn County.