Keith key men missing for Moray derby
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KEITH have injury worries for today's Moray derby showdown at Forres Mechanics.
The Maroons have clocked up back-to-back Highland League victories since losing 8-2 at home to Buckie Thistle last month.
Successes over Fort William and Turriff have boosted Keith morale but they face a tough challenge at a Forres side which thrashed Strathspey Thistle 7-1 to pick up their maiden league win of the campaign.
Four Keith men are missing including captain and main goal threat Cammy Keith.
Adam Clark is ruled out through work, Scott Begg is moving to Dubai with work and Ryan Spink is also missing with work commitments.
“Cammy has been to see the physio and hopefully he won’t be out for that long,” said manager Dean Donaldson.
Forres are still without long-term injured pair Lee Fraser and Ross MacPherson.
Buckie Thistle host Formartine United with both sides level on points just behind leaders Fraserburgh.
League table P W D L F A Pts
Fraserburgh 5 5 0 0 22 5 15
Brora Rangers 5 4 0 1 19 2 12
Formartine Utd 5 4 0 1 20 4 12
Inverurie Locos 5 4 0 1 16 6 12
Buckie Thistle 5 4 0 1 16 8 12
Nairn County 4 4 0 0 9 4 12
Rothes 5 3 1 1 13 6 10
Keith 5 3 0 2 9 17 9
Strathspey Th 5 2 0 3 7 12 6
Deveronvale 4 1 1 2 7 8 4
Turriff United 5 1 1 3 7 14 4
Wick Academy 5 1 1 3 5 15 4
Forres Mechanics 4 1 0 3 10 11 3
Lossiemouth 4 1 0 3 1 12 3
Huntly 4 0 0 4 4 12 0
Clachnacuddin 5 0 0 5 5 19 0
Fort William 5 0 0 5 4 19 0
Jags have started well though their best form has been on the road with successes at Inverurie, Keith and Wick already.
Boss Graeme Stewart said: "It's three away wins so we are happy with that but it's a massive game at home on Saturday against Formartine, and it will be difficult.
"We never did ourselves justice against Fraserburgh two weeks ago so we are trying to make sure we do this Saturday and put in a better performance. We need to show it against the top teams and that will prove how successful we are."
Deveronvale were the odd team out last week but return to action with a visit to Clach, who have yet to get off the mark this season.
Rothes, who parted company with manager Steven MacDonald last week, don't have a game today.
Lossiemouth are chasing their second win of the campaign down at Strathspey Thistle.
Coasters boss Joe Russell said: "The game is going to be key to see where we are at. With all due respect, they are the kind of team we need to judge ourselves against at the minute.
“Against teams like Strathspey in the bottom half of the table is where we will be judged.”
Lossie have a full squad with keeper Trevor Dear, Ross Elliott and Ryan Stuart all back from holiday.
Huntly are one of three clubs yet to score any points so far and they won't find it easy to break their duck at title favourites Brora Rangers.
Today's Highland League fixtures
Brora Rangers v Huntly
Buckie Thistle v Formartine United
Clach v Deveronvale
Forres Mechanics v Keith
Fort William v Wick Academy
Inverurie Locos v Nairn County
Strathspey Thistle v Lossiemouth
Turriff United v Fraserburgh
No game: Rothes
