Busy Saturday of action in GPH Builders merchants Highland League Cup - with Aberdeenshire Shield quarter-finals to follow in midweek
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The bread-and-butter Highland League programme takes a rest and makes way for Highland League Cup and Aberdeenshire Shield action in the coming week.
Today's first round ties in the GHP Builders Merchants Highland League Cup sets up two cracking derby matchesat Banff and Keith.
Deveronvale and Buckie Thistle meet in the first of four Banffshire coast derbies coming up in the next seven weeks.
The pair also clash at Princess Royal Park on Wednesday in the Shire Shield.
The form book points to Highland League leaders Buckie being too strong for their coast neighbours, but Vale will put local pride on the line in an effort to cause an upset.
Jags have centre back Sam Morrison on the comeback trail and he could make the squad for Wednesday's clash.
Forres Mechanics are out to avenge a league defeat at home to Keith when the teams stage a League Cup rematch at Kynoch Park.
Dale Wood and Jack Grant could return from injury for Mechanics, while Stewart Hutcheon is back for the Maroons but Ryan Robertson's broken nose rules him out.
Tie of the round sees holders Brora Rangers host Banks O' Dee, in what will be the Aberdeen visitors' first-ever match in the competition.
Rothes' resurgence in form will be put to the strongest test when they visit unbeaten title chasers Brechin City.
Lossiemouth beat Strathspey Thistle in the preliminary round and their reward is a home tie against Nairn County.
The Coasters, who welcome back Liam Archibald and Lewis McAndrew, beat Nairn 5-1 in the league this season but since appointing manager Steven MacKay, Nairn have made some strong additions to their squad.
Huntly have been beaten twice this season by Formartine United so are hoping it's third time lucky when they host the Pitmedden side, who won at Wick in the prelims.
The first team in the quarter-finals will be decided at Turriff United where the hosts welcome Clach in a 2pm kick-off.
Fraserburgh already have the Aberdeenshire Cup on the sideboard this term and begin their next cup conquest at home to Inverurie Locos.
The Broch then host junior side Aberdeen University in the Aberdeenshire Shield in one of four quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Part two of the Deveronvale v Buckie saga is staged in Banff while Locos host Huntly and Formartine are at home to Aberdeen.
