Forfarshire skipper’s focus is on opponents

The skipper of title-chasing Forfarshire has refused to let the woeful weather dominate his thoughts in the build-up to today’s home-turf clash with Carlton.

Victory could bring the first-ever top-flight championship to Broughty Ferry, as could another rain-affected programme, but Umair Mohammed is focusing purely on what might happen on the pitch.

He said: “We are concentrating on playing – and winning.

“We can’t control the elements and we are under no illusions that Carlton are a very strong outfit.

“In Corne Dry they have an exceptional pro and if we are to be true champions we must prove ourselves by beating the top teams.

“We don’t want the rain to get in the way of what would be a great match.

“In terms of the league, nothing is set in stone until after the final game of the campaign.

Forfs are without Craig Wallace and Michael Leask, who are away on Scotland duty, so in come former national captain Ryan Watson and Craig McConachie.

Holders and chief challengers Grange make the short but tricky hop across the capital to take on Watsonians.

At Lochlands, Arbroath will aim to exact revenge for the Scottish Cup hammering at the hands of Heriot’s.

Host skipper Marc Petrie said: “That performance was embarrassing and we won’t let it happen again.”

Matty Parker replaces the unavailable Calvin Burnett, while Daniel Salmond steps in for pro Wihan Lubbe, who has returned home to South Africa.

Elsewhere, Stoneywood-Dyce will be keen to underline their status as the top team in the Granite City when they tackle Aberdeenshire.

And Stewart’s Melville are hoping they can make ground advantage count when RH Corstorphine pitch up at Inverleith.

Umair Mohammed: Focusing on what happens on the pitch.