Brora Rangers want winning feeling against Clachnacuddin in North of Scotland Cup final in Inverness
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Craig Campbell is looking for Brora Rangers to rise to the occasion and banish any lingering memories of last season’s North of Scotland Cup final against Clachnacuddin tomorrow.
The Cattachs will look to regain the trophy they last won in 2019 at Grant Street Park, conceding home advantage to the Lilywhites.
However, Brora were the losing finalists last season as Rothes came from behind to win 2–1 and lift the trophy at Lossiemouth’s Grant Park.
That disappointment came in what was a shaky start for the Dudgeon Park outfit last season, but they recovered well to go on and lift the Highland League Cup in April with a 2–1 win over Buckie Thistle.
Now, sitting second in the league table, manager Campbell wants his players to use the hurt of last year to ensure there is no repeat this time around.
“I think it will give us motivation,” he said.
“Nobody likes to be on the losing end of a cup final – albeit we’re now a year on.
“We managed to win the Highland League Cup towards the end of last season, so it gave them a taste of success that they enjoyed.
“It also showed us the difference between the two feelings of not winning it, then winning it.
“Hopefully we can go and rectify last year’s North of Scotland Cup defeat by winning that on Saturday, and then we’ll be sitting with two trophies.”
Clachnacuddin will be looking for their first trophy in eight years, last winning the Highland League Cup in 2014.
Brora, though, are regular features in cup finals, and Campbell believes that could make a difference despite the Lilywhites having the backing of a home crowd behind them.
“I think that is a positive for us,” the Cattachs boss reasoned.
“We just need to make sure we’re not complacent. Getting to a cup final is one thing, but the only way you enjoy it is if you win it.
“We’ve got players in our team that have won countless trophies – leagues and cups – here, so that should definitely stand us in good stead.
“I have to be honest and say I was pushing for the game to be in Inverness.
“No disrespect to them, but for our fans to be driving past Inverness to get to Lossiemouth would have been a big ask.
“It’s a good pitch at Clach, they’ve got their surface looking really good. It’s probably one of the best in the league at the moment, so I was pushing for it.
“I think common sense prevailed. Hopefully there will be a good turn out from both sets of fans to make it a good occasion.”
Campbell will make late assessments on Josh Meekings (knee) and Colin Williamson (collarbone), who both picked up knocks in the Scottish Cup against Open Goal Broomhill.
As far as their opponents go, though, Campbell is well aware of Clach’s potential threats, adding: “They’ve got dangerous players that we’re aware of, so we’ll have to be at the top of our game to go and win the cup.”
