Jags boss is targetting Lossiemouth visitors for first win of the season
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Strathspey Thistle boss Rob MacCormack is targetting all three points when Lossiemouth United visit Seafield Park this weekend.
Along with Clach and former Highland League outfit Fort William, Thistle have had more joy against the Moray side than any other since arriving in the division.
Whilst as MacCormack regularly reminds there are no easy games in the league especially for a team in the basement, a positive result against Lossie is a more realistic proposition than Buckie Thistle who the Jags were due to entertain at the weekend until Storm Babet intervened.
He will also have a full squad to pick from apart from influential midfielder James McShane who remains sidelined with a troublesome ankle injury.
The Jags manager said: “Playing Buckie on Saturday was obviously going to be a difficult game for us but we were ready to go and left disappointed that the match was called off.
“There was not much we could do about the weather.
“We are looking forward to the game on Saturday and we will be looking to win the game – that is the message we have delivered to the players.
“We expect to go and win the game. We have played them before and beaten them so we know we can do it but we have to play as well as we possibly can to do so again.
“We know Lossie are a good side but I firmly believe it is a game we are capable of winning.
“But, of course, there is no point in just saying this – we have to go out there and do it.”
The Jags are winless and pointless this season, losing all nine of their fixtures so far while Lossie have one win by their name in 15th place and have picked up five points so far this season.
On the missing McShane, MacCormack said: “His ankle is still causing him a little bit of grief so we are going to see how it is but I do not think he will be ready for this weekend.”
While most of the other sides are focusing on Scottish Cup second round knockout action, there are three league matches slated for Saturday.
As well as Nairn County’s home match against Wick Academy, Rothes will be aiming to move into the top half of the standings when they travel to Keith.
On paper, Rothes could rise as high as fifth – although seventh is more realistic due to the gap in their goal difference compared to teams above – while Keith could also move up two spots in the table to 12th.
Kick-off at Seafield Park in Grantown is at 3pm
• Scottish Cup – round two fixtures are as follows: Brechin City v Spartans; Cumnock Juniors v Turriff United; Deveronvale v Broxburn Athletic; Dumbarton v Banks o’ Dee; Formartine United v Clydebank; Forres Mechanics v Buckie Thistle; Fraserburgh v Bonnyrigg Rose; Huntly v Forfar Athletic; Peterhead v Clachnacuddin; Stenhousemuir v Brora Rangers.
