Huntly on revenge mission when they take on Banks O' Dee in Aberdeenshire Shield
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An Aberdeenshire Shield revenge mission can lift Huntly’s spirits following defeat in Saturday’s top-of-the-table Highland League clash with Formartine United.
Tomorrow night, the Black and Golds host Banks O’ Dee in the semi-finals of the Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield – a repeat of the final of the competition from two years ago.
Dee won in a penalty shoot-out in 2021, coming back from 2-0 down to force a 3-3 draw in a thrilling contest at Inverurie.
Last season, Huntly got to the semis but crashed to a 6-0 defeat at home to Fraserburgh.
“That is the incentive,” said Huntly manager Allan Hale. “We got to the final two years ago and got to within one penalty kick from winning it and last season we got to the semi-final and had one almighty terrible performance at home to Fraserburgh.
“We are playing Banks O Dee in a semi-final but we have also got the opportunity to make up for a really poor performance last season.
Huntly lost out to a first half Julian Wade goal in Saturday’s home clash with leaders Formartine.
Hale saw similarities from the previous weekend’s Scottish Cup heartache against League 2 side Forfar, when Huntly led until the fifth minute of stoppage time before losing 4-1.
Hale said: “Formartine took the chance that won them the game. The frustration from our point of view is that that’s two games in a row with Forfar and Formartine where we shouldn’t have lost the game.
“In the first 20 minutes it was chance after chance, we hit the post twice and couldn’t get it over the line. They got the goal and credit to them, they got bodies behind the ball and protected the space in behind and sat deep and it worked because we couldn’t find a way a way to break them down.
“They were well-organised and well-structured. It was really frustrating, it was two pretty decent performances by us but we have lost them both. When you are playing the top teams they will punish you for the lack of concentration.”
Hale said he won’t dwell on back-to-back losses.
“What I said to the players after the game is there is no point in feeling sorry for ourselves.
“We’ve got too many big games coming up. Not only do we have a semi-final on Wednesday but we’ve got a long away trip to Wick on Saturday which will be a really difficult game.
“We just want to stay in that pack. Performances have been good, we have been matching some good teams and creating chances, we are being brave in our approach and playing our own natural game.”
