No relenting from Broch in title run-in

Their hopes may be slender – but Greg Buchan insists Fraserburgh will battle until the end in the Breedon Highland League title race.

Trailing Brechin City and Buckie Thistle, the Broch – who face Brora Rangers at Bellslea tonight – are the outsiders in a thrilling three-way championship tussle.

Although they require favours elsewhere, midfielder Buchan is determined to ensure Fraserburgh keep up their end of the bargain against the Cattachs this evening and at home to Strathspey Thistle on Saturday.

The 26-year-old said: “When it’s not in our hands we just try to forget about the table really.

“But I’d also be lying if I said we didn’t have an eye on other results and what impact they could have. However, we can only try to win our games.

“It maybe looks a bit of a long shot for us but the league table doesn’t lie, over the course of a season and whoever gets the most points will deserve to win it. We’ll worry about ourselves and try to win our last two games and see where it takes us.”

Two points from Brora’s final four matches will ensure they finish sixth.

With playermanager Ally MacDonald stepping down at the end of the season, midfielder Martin Maclean admits the Cattachs squad may also be playing to impress the next boss. The 32-year-old added: “There’s obviously a bit of uncertainty because we know Ally won’t be here next season.

“It’s mainly about trying to get points on the board to end his time as manager on a high. Whether the next manager will be watching or not I don’t know, but the players are always trying to do their best.

“We’re playing for points and for pride really. Any game you play you want to win, we’re all competitive and don’t enjoy losing.”

Elsewhere, Buckie tackle Strathspey at Seafield Park just two days after defeating them 6-1 at Victoria Park. The Moray outfit are playing their last six league games in a 13-day period, but manager Graeme Stewart admits rotating his squad has proved challenging.

Stewart said: “I said to the players that if they need a rest, or genuinely think they can’t play the next game, tell me.

“There were zero hands up. It shows you their attitude and what they are all about. They all want to play every minute.

“If we can bring it to the last game of the season, for the third season in a row, hopefully we can get over the line and it will all be worth it.”

Strathspey interim boss Michael Rae said: “We will change the personnel around slightly just to allow the boys to recover.”

Fraserburgh midfielder Greg Buchan.