Highland League Saturday: Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart expects champions Fraserburgh to be like a wounded animal after disappointing November results
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Buckie Thistle boss Graeme Stewart is wary of a Fraserburgh backlash this afternoon.
The reigning champions' title defence hasn't gone smoothly and they are seven points behind joint leaders Buckie and Brechin City - having played a game more than Brechin.
This weekend's meeting between Fraserburgh and the team they edged out to the title last April is almost entering into 'must-win' territory for the home side, who lost 2-1 at Buckie in the last league meeting between the teams in July.
Broch have also been defeated by Inverurie Locos in the league at Bellslea, and Locos repeated the feat by winning 2-1 in the League Cup at Fraserburgh last Saturday.
Recent draws with Banks O' Dee and Forres Mechanics have also hampered the champs and Jags manager Stewart expects his hosts to be fully fired up.
"It’s almost a bad time to play Fraserburgh because they are like a wounded animal just now after drawing with Forres and getting beat by Locos," he said.
"They will be right up for this game - but so will we.
"Bellslea is always one of the hardest place to go but if you want to win leagues, these are the grounds you need to go and get a result at and we will be going there to beat them.
"I’m sure it will be a tasty one."
Buckie won 9-1 at Deveronvale in the Aberdeenshire Shield in midweek while Fraserburgh saw off Aberdeen University 4-0, but both clubs managed to rest some key players.
Elsewhere, Forres Mechanics will be trying to throw a spanner in the works of title chasers Brechin, who are still unbeaten in the league and welcome the Cans to Glebe Park.
The match in Brechin will involve an 8am pitch inspection.
At the other end of the table, Deveronvale badly need wins to get away from the drop zone and they visit Lossiemouth, who they beat 2-0 in Banff earlier this term.
Banks O' Dee could climb off the bottom - in spite of their 24 point deduction - if they can beat Inverurie Locos in Aberdeen and Strathspey Thistle lose at home to Formartine United.
Two matches fell victim to the wet weather on Friday with Keith v Wick Academy and Rothes v Nairn County postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
Huntly will be buoyed by their Shire Shield success at Inverurie in midweek when they make the trip to Inverness to take on Clach.
Turriff United's home match against Brora Rangers is subject to a 7.45am inspection.
