Injury scare for Anderson's Groats ahead of cup final
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Wick Groats have injury worries over four key players ahead of their big cup final day out.
The Upper Bignold side travel to Brora's Dudgeon Park on Saturday to take on Inverness-shire league side Avoch in the Highland Amateur Cup final.
Having won all the trophies played for in Caithness this season, the final leg of a potential grand slam comes around with the biggest prize of them all.
For summer football sides in the north, the Highland Amateur Cup is their version of the Champions League with Groats hoping to win it for the fourth time. Their last success came three years ago.
Avoch though have a proud history in the competition as well with six triumphs to their name – two behind Groats' old rivals Pentland United who won it last year.
However, while this season's final is too close to call, Groats could well have done without a quadruple whammy of injuries.
Boss Kevin Anderson said: "James Mackay we knew well beforehand would be struggling, as he did his hamstring in not so long ago and they do take a while to heal.
"However, last weekend in the David Allan Shield final, Ben Sinclair and Graham MacNab both picked up knocks and are in a race against time to be fit for this one.
"It will be a massive blow if they're out. Ben could be fit in time but we're not sure with Graham. Stewart Ross also picked up a knock and he's struggling to make this one."
Injuries aside, Anderson is backing those who are not walking wounded to fill the void.
He added: "As I said the other week, we've a squad that has strength in depth and I would back any of them to walk into the starting 11 and play well for us.
"We've been a bit lucky with injuries this season but this past week has seen them creep up on us.
"No doubt Avoch might have their own worries. If they do, they will still be a tough side because they've been the competition's most successful club over the last 10 years.
"They hammered us in the 2012 final but we beat them in the last eight when we went on to win it the following year. Plus the last time we completed the grand slam, Avoch were the team we beat in the 2015 final.
"Avoch have a very good squad right now. Some of our players and theirs play against each other in the winter during the North Caledonian League season. So both sets of players know each other well."
It will be a massive blow if they're out.
Avoch manager Martyn MacAllister hopes his side can shrug off the disappointment of being pipped to the Inverness and District Amateur Premier League title by winning the Highland Amateur Cup for a seventh time.
"It should be a cracking game," he said. "I expect it to be very tight.The boys are confident going into it.
"They will give it everything they’ve got but we have to make sure there are no regrets afterwards."
However, Avoch have been dealt a major blow with the suspension of goalkeeper David Harrison. They will also be missing midfielder Kyle MacDonald.
Avoch finished second in the Inverness and Amateur District Premier League to Maryburgh.
