Shane Carling looks forward to end of shinty season as it will mean return of Loch Ness stars to North Caledonian League football
When Shane Carling admits he will be glad to see the back of the shinty season, it owes nothing to any disrespect for the great sport of the Gaels.
It is just that the laying down of the camans will enable a clutch of important performers to return to the football fold after a spell of severely limited squad depth.
The Loch Ness FC manager has commonly had to work with just two outfield substitutes recently despite an encouraging start to the new season.
The Canal Park club were held to a scoreless draw in their league opener at home to Orkney, but have since netted 16 goals in the three league and cup wins.
The latest, a 6–0 thrashing of Nairn County’s reserves, took them through to the Football Times Cup semi final.
In the league, a 3–1 victory over champions Invergordon underlined the potential for a title tilt this season, but they face a very stern test at home to St Duthus this weekend.
Again, the personnel count will be low for the crucial encounter.
“We’re still short of numbers – we’ve been struggling since the start of the season, to be honest,” Carling said. “We’ve had just three on the bench and one of them is a goalkeeper. We’re just waiting for some of the boys to come back in, including the brothers Craig and Martin Maitland who play for Lovat.
“We’re missing two excellent centre halves in Chris Innes (ex-Strathspey Thistle) and Steve MacDonald who is also completing his shinty season with Newtonmore.
“He’s probably one of the best centre halves in the league and the only reason he doesn’t play Highland League is his shinty commitments.
“They are big players for us and it is just a case of getting on with it until they return over the next week or two.”
League leaders Inverness Athletic are at home to defending champions Invergordon tomorrow, while Nairn County Reserves travel to Golspie Sutherland. Halkirk host Fort William, Alness go to Orkney and Bonar Bridge take on Thurso.