Stop-start season making it difficult for Greens to gain momentum
The Greens were hit by another postponement when travel problems grounded Shetland’s scheduled trip to Millbank on Saturday.
Since head coach Sinclair Dunnett took over the reins at the start of the current Caley 1 North Conference campaign, he has seen more games pulled than played.
The unavailability of a pitch scuppered his team’s planned conference opener in Shetland, while weather and other issues shelved their away trip to Mackie and Aberdeenshire’s visit. Panmure also forfeited their National Shield first-round match in Thurso.
Dunnett said: “It has been a stop-start season which has made it difficult for us to gather momentum. We have a game, then a long break, then a game and another break.”
After ferry cancellations forced the islanders to call off on Thursday evening, Dunnett arranged a 15-a-side Greens v Yellows match to keep the side ticking over ahead of Saturday’s away fixture versus Shire in the second round of the National Shield.
Skipper Cole Wilson and Reece Coghill are suspended following the red cards they picked up in their defeat to Highland Seconds, while several of the squad are heading to watch the Scotland v USA international at Murrayfield.
Lachlan Jardine is back from a work stint in Norway and is likely to replace Coghill in the starting line-up, while lock Dave McIntosh also returns to the squad.
The Greens will have a new-look back division as Max Kennedy misses out while Marc Anderson is doubtful, while Jamie Mowat might start on the bench after dislocating a thumb against Highland.