North junior football: Dufftown goalkeeper Stewart Black gets ready for North Regional Cup final against Superleague side Aberdeen East End at Rothienorman
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DUFFTOWN goalkeeper Stewart Black says his club is happy to be underdogs in this weekend’s North Regional Cup final.
The Toonsers take on Superleague side Aberdeen East End at Rothienorman on Sunday.
Former Elgin and Lossiemouth keeper Black (26) has been in great form for Jim Stables’ side, who just missed out on promotion from North Region Junior Division 1.
“I feel getting to a final eases that because we deserve to be in the Superleague,” Black said. “We are a right good side.
“It suits us being underdogs on Sunday. They have said they won’t take us lightly but they won’t expect to come up against such a dogged team as Dufftown are, because we will defend and play our way into the game.”
Black has made a name for himself this season as an expert in saving penatlies, as on two occasions he has saved two spot kicks in a single match.
So if Sunday’s final goes the full distance into a shoot-out, Dufftown could hold the ace card.
“The first time at Stonehaven was quite unlucky,” he said. “I saved the first one and the rebound fell back to the striker and I got up and saved it.
“But he’s hit it at me again and Mark Thomson blocked it on the line with his hand and was sent off. So they got a second penalty and I saved that as well.
“Against Dyce I did the same, it’s just part of being a goalkeeper.
“Who knows the final might go to penalties and I would quite like to take a penalty as well.”
Black made his Elgin City debut at 15 and has had spells at Lossie and Deveronvale in the Highland League.
He still hopes to climb back up the football ranks.
"To be honest I’ve got ambitions to go further than Highland League," he said.
"I feel like I could go further. I maybe haven’t given as much care to my body as I should have and that’s maybe why I’ve come down the levels like I have.
"Once I get myself fit and injury-free, who knows where I can go.
"But I am happy at Dufftown, it’s a brilliant club and I am enjoying my football again. I feel valued and that is the biggest thing."
He rates manager Jim Stables, his assistant Charlie Charlesworth and coaches Davie Ness and James Reid highly.
And he believes Dufftown possess the players to trouble Superleague opponents.
"Jim and Charlie are like chalk and cheese but they make a brilliant management team. You have to mention Nessie and Chef (Reid) as all four give you something different and it just works.
"On the pitch we've got good experience. There’s myself, Dunner (Michael Dunn), Scott Bowie and Kelvin Main, Finlay Stables and Ben Cullen who has 25 goals this season.
"There’s a lot of experience and it’s a good blend with younger boys like Shaun Cameron who I’m sure will be a Highland League player in the not-too-distant future because he’s been brilliant.
"Jack Macarthur has been superb in the wing back role when we go three at the back, he gets up and down, great on the ball and a good link player."
Dufftown still have a chance of making another final in the Elginshire Cup and boosted their chances with a 6-1 thrashing of Islavale on Wednesday.
Goals by Callum Clark, Finlay Stables, James Stables (2), Shaun Cameron and Shaun Gair proved too much for Vale, who have already qualified for the final from the group stages.
They beat New Elgin 4-0 on Saturday to earn their place, with the other top two position up for grabs.
Dufftown would meet Islavale in the final if they won both of their remaining group matches at Whitehills in midweek and at home to Burghead Thistle a week later.
