Highland facing crucial fixture

HIGHLAND start 2013 with an important home fixture against fellow Caledonia Regional League Division One strugglers Ellon.

The pressure is on both sides given their positions near the foot of the table, but the Greens look set to line up with a very strong squad for this crucial encounter.

Highland should have their strongest front row available to them with props Jamie Strachan and Stuart Anderson joining hooker Kevin Brown and they will be a big factor in providing a solid platform for the pack.

Player/coach Craig Little is back at scrum half alongside stand off Tam Magowan and this pairing is well able to provide plenty of attacking options.

In the backline there is pace with wingers Craig Findlater and Laurie Cuthbertson joined by Richard Sim, who comes back in at full back.

Such is the depth of availability for Highland tomorrow that the four-man bench is also very strong with good cover for both the backs and forwards.

Picking up league points are now very important for the Greens with Highland going into this weekend’s clash knowing a single win will lift them out of trouble and leave Ellon deep in the relegation mire.

Highland under-18s, who were crowned champions at the end of last year, finish up their North League programme with a home fixture against Mackie Academy.

Coach John Carson and his staff will be making his squad work hard to end the campaign on a high note in readiness for the forthcoming Scottish Cup and Champions League.

There is also an important game for the under-15s who face Huntly on Sunday in what is a must-win game if they are to maintain their challenge for the title.

Also on Sunday, Highland’s mini and micro sections are back to their regular 11am training sessions at Canal Park.