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Clachnacuddin take on Highland League leaders Brechin City in Inverness as they look to cause an upset





Clachnacuddin manager Conor Gethins is hoping his side can spring another upset against one of the Highland League’s giants this weekend.

James Anderson. Picture: James Mackenzie
James Anderson. Picture: James Mackenzie

Brechin City make the journey to Grant Street for the two teams’ first meeting this season with both sides sitting in the division’s top four.

Gethins has played down talk of it being a top of the table clash, although he can point to big wins already this season over defending champions Buckie Thistle and current league leaders Brora Rangers as evidence the Lilywhites can compete with the best in the league.

This weekend, he will be looking for Clach’s strong home form to continue by picking up another result against the current title favourites.

“I don’t really see it as a top of the table clash to be honest,” he told Clach’s social media team.

“There’s a gulf there. We’re third and they’re second, but they are far away ahead of us on their journey.

“If they hit top gear it could be a tough day for us, but we went and beat Brora away and beat Buckie quite comfortably.

“We were unlucky against Fraserburgh away, so why can’t we do something on Saturday? I believe we have the best record in the Highland League at home, so Clach Park is a bit of a fortress for us at the moment.”

One drawback from last week’s triumph away at Buckie was the withdrawal of goalkeeper Joe Malin through injury.

He was replaced by Dan Rae after tweaking his knee, with the substitute stopper making a top class save.

Going into this weekend’s match, though, Gethins will want his side to be at full strength as far as possible, and he is optimistic over Malin’s chances of featuring.

“Joe’s not too bad to be honest, it was just a stretch in the ligament in his knee more than anything,” Gethins revealed.

“If it was serious, he wouldn’t have played on for the five minutes that he did, but he felt uncomfortable and at the tender age he is you need to be careful and sit out.

“Dan stepped in, and made a worldie save. A lot of that is down to Joe as well with the way he has helped Dan and Michael from pre-season onwards, and you can see there’s a different Dan Rae this year compared to last year.

“It’s nice to have someone like him on the bench to come on for Joe.”


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