Deveronvale expecting 'tricky tie' against North Junior champions Culter
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DEVERONVALE will be looking to recover their early season form when they take on junior side Culter in the Scottish Cup.
Vale were thrashed 6-0 by Huntly at Princess Royal Park on Saturday, adding to a 5-0 defeat at Formartine United the week prior.
A hat-trick from Andy Hunter was added to by goals from Lewis Crosbie, Ryan Sewell and substitute Angus Grant to seal a convincing win for the visitors.
Craig Stewart’s side had started the campaign well, picking up five points from their first three matches, but have suffered a few heavy defeats of late – although a 1-1 draw with Forres Mechanics provided some reason for optimism.
Culter are North Region Junior champions and have won all four of their league matches this campaign, amassing 18 goal difference.
“They are the best junior side, there’s no question about it,” Stewart said.
“They won the league comfortably last year and have a few trophies in the bag.
“A lot of their players have Highland League experience and they are a big and physical side.
“People will look at the draw and say it’s a junior team so we should win, but we have to earn that right and it’s certainly a tricky tie.
“It’s not one we are scared of, we are not thinking we are up against it, but we will need to be at the top of our game.
“We will prepare properly and hopefully we can get through. We have been a bit unlucky in the past couple of years in the Scottish Cup and it’s important for the club and players, as well as the supporters.”
Stewart had Culter’s 4-2 win over Stonehaven at the weekend watched and says he has a “good idea” about how they will set up.
Vale hope to have Innes McKay back for the match, along with Toni Jam.
The game is a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, September 23.
