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Brora Rangers striker says next three games against Brechin City, Buckie Thistle and Inverurie Locos could define their Highland League season


By Will Clark

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ANDREW Macrae knows the importance of the next three results for Brora Rangers in determining if they can defend their Highland League crown this season.

Andrew Macrae scored a hat trick against Brora Rangers. Picture: James Mackenzie
Andrew Macrae scored a hat trick against Brora Rangers. Picture: James Mackenzie

The Cattachs take on Brechin City at Dudgeon Park on Saturday, with both teams locked on 46 points in third and fourth place.

Next weekend, Brora then travel to Buckie Thistle who are currently in second place in the Highland League also on 46 points.

The following week, Brora then take on Inverurie Locos who are only two points behind the Cattachs, with all five teams attempting to chase down leaders Fraserburgh who are six points clear at the top.

Macrae, who scored a hat trick in the 3–0 win over Nairn County last Saturday, says tomorrow’s result against Brechin will be massive for both teams in determining the title chase.

“This is a big month ahead for us as we are playing Brechin, Buckie and Inverurie Locos, so we are up against three of the top five teams,” said Macrae.

“We need to keep our good form going.

“Brechin is a big game this weekend, and no disrespect to them, we are going into it in better form than they are.

“In their last three matches, Brechin City have only picked up three points with one win and two losses.

“They have been beaten by Fraserburgh and Formartine United, so that probably makes us slight favourites for Saturday.

“But Brechin are a decent team, and I think they have surprised a lot of people because when they were relegated, I think a lot of people thought they were done.

“But they have been stuck in the top three all season and it is only recently they have actually dipped in form. “

With eight points separating the top five teams, this season is the closest Highland League title race in years.

Macrae says Fraserburgh have earned the favourites tag being six points in front of the chasing pack at this stage of the campaign.

But he says other teams are more than capable of catching them to win the league and Brora Rangers are one of them.

“Fraserburgh are favourites to win the Highland League, at the end of the day it is theirs to lose,” he said.

“They are six points clear and they are in the driving seat.

“It is similar to when the season was cut short due to Covid, we were in front and managed to keep the momentum to stay the top of the league.

“But there are two or three teams in the league I think can challenge Fraserburgh and win it.

“I include ourselves in that, but we need to put together a run of games, and for Fraserburgh to drop points, and that puts someone else in the driving seat.”

Macrae scored three goals within a 16 minute period for Brora Rangers against Nairn on Saturday.

But he has scored a quicker hat trick scoring for Forres Mechanics against Turriff United when he took 11 minutes to score all three goals.


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