Captain confident for trip to league leaders

Gordonians may be out of contention for promotion from the Strathmore Union – but they can still have a say in who goes up, starting tomorrow at league leaders Meigle.

The Countesswells side have lost their last five games but captain Mayank Bhandari is confident. He said: “This would be as good a time as any to bounce back, and prove we are a quality side who just need to be consistent.

“We have a good side available to travel. When we last met, we posted a solid 193, only for the rain to spoil our chances.”

Mannofield will also be looking to boost their league position when they travel to play bottom-side Kinloch, who they have already beaten in another rainaffected game.

Captain James Musgrave will be able to call upon a strong pool of players now that the first team at Mannofield have returned to near full-strength. He said: “I believe we are in a false position in third-bottom place, and can climb the league in the remaining five games.”

In the ACA Grades, the main focus of attention in Grade 1 is on the semi-finals of the Aberdeenshire Cup with pride of place going to the clash between Inverurie and Bon Accord at Kellands Park, two of the main challengers for the league title. The other last-four game is at Allan Park, where Cults meet Gordonians.

Both games will be played on Sunday but there will be a full house of fixtures in all three Grades before then on the Saturday.

One of the most significant will be at Harlaw where Cults can take a big step away from the relegation area if they beat fellow strugglers Mannofield in Grade 1.