The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
United win crucial for Can-Cans’ top four hopes
Forres Mechanics manager Charlie Rowley is viewing Saturday’s home game against Formartine United as a ‘must-win’ if the Can-Cans are to claim a top four finish.
The Mosset Park men are sixth in the league and six points adrift of fourth-place Formartine, having played one game more.
Rowley said: “The title certainly isn’t in our thoughts. We’re just trying for the top four.
“A top four finish is certainly within our thought process and I do feel, simply because of the run Formartine United are on, and the qualities Fraserburgh, Brora Rangers and Inverurie Locos all have, that to give us a bit of impetus going into the remainder of the season we need all three points on Saturday.
“If we don’t beat Formartine it leaves us a fairly uphill task to break into that top four.
“There is no reason why we can’t but we would pretty much need to win every other game from here on in until the end of the season if we didn’t win this weekend.”
Looking at the title race in general, the Can-Cans boss believes that one double-header could prove crucial.
He added: “I honestly feel that the two games between Brora Rangers and Cove Rangers will have a huge bearing on the title race.
“In the two games in which we played Brora, they proved to me that they’re the best team we’ve faced this season.
“Their starting XI is as good as anyone’s, although they might lack a little bit of quality on the bench but they have just signed striker Scott Davidson.
“Cove Rangers are favourites to go on and lift the title as they’re currently six points in front of Brora but if the Cattachs were to beat them twice then the race for the title really would be on.
“Given the run they are on, I also think that Formartine United will have a massive say on where the title will go.”