The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Calder raises bar for in-form Brora
Fraser twins commit to Mechanics with three-year extensions
Forres Mechanics have received a twin boost ahead of today’s meeting with Highland League leaders Cove Rangers, with Graham Fraser and Lee Fraser committing their futures.
The twins, aged 25, have signed three-year extensions and will receive testimonial matches as part of their new deals.
Forres manager Charlie Rowley said: “I’m absolutely delighted with Lee and Graham both signing extensions to their contracts. It shows their loyalty and commitment to this club, which continues to go from strength to strength.
“This is another example of our club showing ambition by signing valuable players in important positions so that we can challenge other clubs in the league and cup competitions.”
Graham Fraser hopes to celebrate his new deal by helping his side defeat Cove, who are unbeaten in the league, at Balmoral Stadium today.
He said: “Apart from our recent 0-0 home draw with Strathspey Thistle, we’ve done well.
“It will be a hard test for us as we have quite a few injuries, including important players such as striker Stuart Soane and centre half Craig McGovern but we’ll go there and do our best.
“Formartine beat Cove 4-2 in the Aberdeenshire Shield on Wednesday night so they are beatable.
“I don’t particularly like artificial pitches myself because of the cruciate- ligament injury I suffered to over a year ago.”
Cove boss John Sheran insists they have to use their defeat by Formartine United on Wednesday as a wake-up call.
Sheran’s side saw their Aberdeenshire Shield hopes ended at Balmoral Stadium as Formartine took full advantage of some uncharacteristic mistakes from the Highland League champions.
Sendings-off for Connor Scully and Eric Watson did not help matters for Cove with both given straight red cards by referee Dan McFarlane.
Looking ahead to today’s game against fourth-placed Forres, Sheran said: “This weekend’s game is a bigger one for us so we have to get back on it again.
“We’ll be a couple of boys light after Wednesday night but we’ve got the squad to cope with that. We’ll use it as a wake-up call.
“If you drop your standards there are teams that will beat you, simple as that.
“Formartine are a good team and we made one or two changes to get people games and we did that in previous rounds. If you look at the possession, we probably had more than them in the game. It was nothing to do with the team. If you defend poorly, you give away goals.” Brora Rangers assistant manager David Calder says the Cattachs must carry their recent good form into top-of-thetable encounters.
Brora have impressed with 4-0 wins against Strathspey Thistle, Keith and Nairn County and a 6-1 victory against Lossiemouth – moving them to within three points of leaders Cove Rangers.
Calder, whose side host Deveronvale today, said: “We’ve had a few high-scoring victories.
“We just have to make sure mentality-wise, when we are playing against the top Aberdeenshire clubs away from home, we do what we are capable of which is beating them.
“We are a real threat when we’ve got Zander Sutherland, Paul Brindle and Steven in the middle.”
Clach entertain a Strathspey Thistle outfit which is looking to go five games in a row undefeated. Clach will be without striker Stuart Leslie and winger Blair Lawrie. But goalkeeper Dougie MacLennan is added to the squad.
The Jags welcome back striker John Cameron and centre half Richard Tawse.
Rothes meet Inverurie Locos at Mackessack Park without former Fort striker Iain MacLellan, who dislocated his shoulder in a friendly against Islavale. The match kicks off at 2pm.
Lossiemouth are at full strength for the first time this term for the Grant Park clash with Nairn County, who will be without midfielder Tom MacLennan.
Keith host Wick Academy who travel without suspended brothers Michael and Grant Stevens.
Midfielders Ross Allan and Jack Henry miss out through injury.