Turriff coaching duo miss league opener

Turriff United’s new assistant manager Graeme Mathieson and player-coach Roy McBain will miss today’s opening game against Rothes as both are still on holiday.

United manager Kris Hunter said: “Obviously Graeme and Roy both planned their holidays around the fact that Cove’s season didn’t start until next week. At the time neither knew that they wouldn’t be around for that.

“It will be good to get them back and involved.

“Nobody really likes the pre-season build-up and I think it will be a competitive league with Cove no longer there.”

Rothes manager Steven Macdonald has a fully-fit squad available for the trip to The Haughs.

Buckie Thistle could not have asked for a much tougher test than a trip to Harlaw Park to face Inverurie Locos.

Neil Cooper, Locos’ manager, said: “We beat Buckie over there in the opening game of last season but it was a hard game and we’re expecting nothing less today.

“They’re two evenly matched teams so it could all come down to who gets the breaks on the day.”

Locos have a fully fit squad available apart from full-back Chris Herd, who is away.

The Jags will be without defender Craig Dorrat who has a shoulder injury, Lucas Davidson is suspended while midfield playmaker Kevin Fraser faces a fitness test.

Deveronvale and Nairn County face off at Princess Royal Park.

Strathspey Thistle will blood four new signings – Liam Taylor, Scott Morrison, Andrew Hardwick and Andrew Skinner – in their home game against Clach but Ross Naismith and John Cameron are out.