Some tasty ties in prospect

HIGHLAND LEAGUE CUP DRAW

HOLDERS Forres Mechanics will begin their defence of the Fosters' Highland League Cup with a rerun of last year’s final ass they visit Rothes in the first round proper after this afternoon’s draw at Harlaw Park, Inverurie.
The Can Cans scooped the trophy in May last year with a 2-0 final and have already won at MacKessack Park in the HITS North of Scotland Cup at the start of this season.
The draw was made by Peter Allan, of sponsors Fosters and Highland League President Eddie Innes with the two preliminary round ties pitting Turriff United with a home match against Brora Rangers while Inverurie Locos welcome Keith to Harlaw Park.
There were a number of mouth-watering ties pulled out for the first round proper, none more so than the first two encounters drawn as Cove Rangers host Deveronvale and Fort William roll out the welcome mat for fellow strugglers Strathspey Thistle.
The next tie sees Clachnacuddin host Huntly at Grant Street Park while Nairn County visit Formartine United and the winners of the Inverurie Locos v Keith match will be rewarded with an away tie at Wick Academy. The clubs in the other preliminary round clash will also be away from home if they are victorious, with a Buckie Thistle lying in wait. The final tie out of the hat sees last season’s semi finalists host Fraserburgh.

Preliminary round:
Turriff United v Brora Rangers
Inverurie Locos v Keith
Ties to be played on Saturday March 5th
First round:
Cove Rangers v Deveronvale
Fort William v Strathspey Thistle
Clachnacuddin v Huntly
Formartine United v Nairn County
Wick Academy v Inverurie Locos / Keith
Buckie Thistle v Turriff United / Brora Rangers
Rothes v Forres Mechanics
Lossiemouth v Fraserburgh
Ties to be played on Saturday March 19th
Quarter finals:
Buckie Thistle / Turriff United / Brora Rangers v Lossiemouth / Fraserburgh
Cove Rangers / Deveronvale v Fort William / Strathspey Thistle
Clachnacuddin / Huntly v Formartine United / Nairn County
Rothes / Forres Mechanics v Wick Academy / Inverurie Locos / Keith
Ties to be played Saturday April 2nd
Semi finals:
Buckie Thistle / Turriff United / Brora Rangers / Lossiemouth / Fraserburgh v Cove Rangers / Deveronvale / Fort William / Strathspey Thistle
Rothes / Forres Mechanics / Wick Academy / Inverurie Locos / Keith v Clachnacuddin / Huntly / Formartine United / Nairn County
Ties to be played Saturday April 23rd
Final:
Buckie Thistle / Turriff United / Brora Rangers / Lossiemouth / Fraserburgh / Cove Rangers / Deveronvale / Fort William / Strathspey Thistle v Rothes / Forres Mechanics / Wick Academy / Inverurie Locos / Keith / Clachnacuddin / Huntly / Formartine United / Nairn County
Tie to be played on Saturday May 14th