Avoch aim to continue defence of Highland Amateur Cup with massive Ross derby against Maryburgh
MANAGER Martyn MacAllister knows Avoch face a big test in the defence of the Highland Amateur Cup when they head to Maryburgh tomorrow afternoon.
A huge Ross-shire derby takes place at Maryburgh on Saturday as both teams will be looking to progress from the third round into the quarter finals.
Avoch are the holders of the Highland Amateur Cup after winning the title for the seventh time when they beat Wick Groats 1-0 in the final last year.
Avoch are also heavy favourites to win the Inverness and District Premiership this season as they are close to clinching the title for the first time since 2017.
However, they did suffer a blip in form earlier this month when they lost 3-0 to Maryburgh in the Premiership.
MacAllister says they are determined not to fall to defeat to their rivals again and continue their quest to win their eighth Highland Amateur Cup.
“If we were to win the cup again, it would be through a difficult run,” he said.
“We beat Fortrose in the first round and beat Back in Stornoway in the second round and now face Maryburgh in the third round.
“Maryburgh are the only team I have looked at since the second round. You take the next game to look at and don’t look any further than that. It will be a massive game, two local sides and we know each other inside out.
“It will be a big crowd on Saturday, all the boys know each other off the park but that will go out the window on Saturday, I expect it to be tight. The majority of our games always are. At times, it is about who wants it the most.“
Avoch are seven points clear at the top of the Inverness and District Premiership and have three games remaining. If results go their way in other games, they could secure the title with a victory in their next match.
MacAllister says it could be a season where Avoch win a number of competitions. But losing the Premier Cup final to Inverness Athletic earlier in the season means they can’t take any match for granted.
He said: “It has been a good start for us. Results on Monday in the league did go our way and we are getting closer to winning the league. We still have a bit to do to get over the line.
We have three games left and if we can beat Inverness Athletic, the worst we would do is finish level with Maryburgh and we have a better goal difference of 20. But we will still take each game as it comes.
“It was disappointing losing the Premier Cup final to Inverness Athletic where we let ourselves down badly. But it shows you have to take each game seriously.”
