Formartine boss hoping to follow Brora example by causing cup shock
Formartine United manager Paul Lawson is taking inspiration from Brora Rangers as he bids to knock his former club Motherwell out of the Scottish Cup.
Lawson, 36, who played 20 games for ’Well between 2013 and 2015, praised Highland League rivals Brora for their display in beating runaway Championship leaders Hearts in the cup last week.
But he reckons it will be a tall order for his team to follow suit against the Premiership side in the third-round tie at Pitmedden’s North Lodge Park on Saturday.
"It’s an incredible result, let’s be honest,” said Lawson. "Up in the north, we know how good a side Brora are. If the league hadn’t been curtailed last season, they would have romped to the championship.
"They were awarded it, but they were streets ahead of a lot of teams at our level.
"They have players who have previously been to Ross County and Inverness so they have got experience.
"I think the biggest surprise was having the lay-off that we’ve all had and only managing to squeeze in four or five training sessions before the game and yet winning. It probably means that Motherwell will maybe take us a bit more seriously than they would have.
"I think it does make our job a bit harder because Motherwell will be wanting to make sure that doesn’t happen to them. From the outside, everyone knows they will be massive favourites and probably expected to come to our place and beat us convincingly
"But I just want to make sure our boys don’t get overrawed by it and they give a good account of themselves, make sure we play well and show what we can do because we have some good players in our team.”