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Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield: Huntly injury worries for Inverurie Locos tie while Deveronvale and Buckie Thistle do battle for second time in four days


By Craig Christie

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Four places in the Morrison Motors Aberdeenshire Shield semi-finals are up for grabs tonight.

Formartine won at Huntly on Saturday. Photo: Derek Lowe
Formartine won at Huntly on Saturday. Photo: Derek Lowe

Last season's finalists Huntly, who have lost each of their last three outings against top six sides, have injury worries ahead of their visit to Inverurie Locos.

Centre back Michael Clark's red card in the last round against Turriff sees him banned while Colin Charlesworth, Zander Jack, Max Berton, Gavin Elphinstone and Chris Hay are out injured.

In addition, defensive pair Lyall Booth and James Connelly have picked up knocks and are considered doubtful for the Harlaw Park clash.

Huntly manager Allan Hale said: "We don’t have our troubles to seek, that’s for sure.

"Defensively we have three or four struggling and it is practically the back four that started the run we went on."

Huntly were unbeaten in six outings before their home losses to Fraserburgh, Brora and Formartine in the past fortnight.

"We will prepare the team the best way that we can and we just have to hope that the players put in a good level of performance.

"It’s an equally difficult game against Locos. They have a style that is effective and you look at the quality they have in their team, some really good players.

"Any team that goes to Fraserburgh twice in the same season and wins both times needs to get the full respect as it proves the quality they have."

Deveronvale were edged out of the GHP Builders Merchants Highland League Cup by coast rivals Buckie Thistle on Saturday - and the teams do it again tonight.

Buckie won 3-1 in Banff and return to Princess Royal Park, well aware that their derby rivals will be gunning for revenge.

Buckie Thistle v Deveronvale at Victoria Park, Buckie. ..Picture: Becky Saunderson..
Buckie Thistle v Deveronvale at Victoria Park, Buckie. ..Picture: Becky Saunderson..

Vale manager Craig Stewart was encouraged by his team's battling display on Saturday, knowing virtually the full length of the Highland League table separates the two sides.

His priorities remain with forthcoming league matches against Lossiemouth and Strathspey in the effort to scramble away from the league basement.

"Staying in the league is more important than an Aberdeenshire Shield if I’m being honest so I have some thinking to do.

"It is still Buckie, a cup tie and a derby and even with us having more than one eye on what is going on in the league we will still go into the game looking to win it.

"The boys will have taken a bit of confidence from their performance on Saturday."

Buckie manager Graeme Stewart could welcome back Scott Adams, who has missed a run of games through injury.

"We are looking forward to it," he said. "The boys who haven't been playing, they obviously want to be involved and they always think they should be good enough to be in the team.

"Now is the time to prove it and those who get an opportunity on Wednesday should show me they should be in the team. If they do that, there’s a chance for them to start on Saturday.

"When the team is winning it is difficult for them to get in but now is an opportunity to use different players."

Formartine United came back from 2-0 down to win at Huntly in the League Cup on Saturday, and tonight they play host to a young Aberdeen side.

In the other quarter-final, Fraserburgh are at home to junior side Aberdeen University.


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