Sheran’s fixture frustration

Manager to ring changes with one eye on play-offs as Spartans get to rest

Cove Rangers manager John Sheran is frustrated his team will be in action tonight while Lowland League rivals Spartans have been given the freedom to rest ahead of Saturday’s SPFL Pyramid play-off semi-final.

The Highland League champions bring down the curtain on their domestic campaign tonight when Nairn County are the visitors to the Blues’ adopted home, Harlaw Park in Inverurie, but Sheran is disappointed his players must risk injury in an ultimately meaningless match on the eve of Saturday’s first leg.

Sheran, who confirmed he will rest as many first team players for tonight’s match as possible, said: “We’re just disappointed that we are being made to play the game at all when the Lowland League seems to allow their teams to cancel games.

“The Highland League won’t do anything to help us, so I’m disappointed in that.

“Spartans pulled out of the their Lowland League Cup tie on Saturday, apparently they can do whatever they want.

“They seem to have a law down there which allows them to do it and there’s obviously a difference in the rules of the Highland and the Lowland League which is very strange.

“We will field a team of young lads, the majority from our under-17 team, against Nairn County tomorrow night.

“Everyone is at the stage where they just want to get the season finished with as there’s nothing to play for either County or ourselves.”

Looking further ahead to Saturday’s first leg of the pyramid play-off, Sheran added: “We are hoping that some of our injured players will be fit.

“We didn’t want to risk our central defenders, captain Eric Watson and Darryn Kelly in last Saturday’s game at Wick, so both of these guys should be fit to face Spartans this weekend.

“However, Daniel Park and Ryan Strachan are both struggling, while Grant Campbell and Sam Burnett are definitely out.

“We have received various reports on Spartans, they seem to be a good well organised side, so we are expecting a really tough game on Saturday, but it’s one the boys are ready for, and they’re definitely up for it.”

County boss Ronnie Sharp is equally keen to get the season done and dusted.

He said: “Our boys are really tired at the moment as they’ve played a lot of game in a short space of time.

“Our performance in the 2-1 defeat at Deveronvale showed that after recent hard game against Fraserburgh and Turriff United.

“The fiery pitches don’t really help either, everyone is looking for the domestic season to be over, and I’m sure the Cove Rangers players and their manager feel the same.”