Ross derby sets up opener in NCL as Alness United face Invergordon
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ALNESS United and Invergordon will clash on the opening day of the new North Caledonian League season tomorrow.
United, who won Division Two last season, will welcome the Division One runners-up in a mouthwatering start to the campaign at Dalmore Park.
This season the North Caledonian League is back to one division of 12 teams again after splitting into two last season due to the impact of Covid-19.
Alness United manager Robert MacCormack says having the chance to play the top teams in the division is what they have been wanting to do since returning to the league after a season’s abeyance in 2019/20.
He hopes they can make a big impact this season against the big hitters.
“These are the games that we all want to play in and why we came back into the league” he said.
“Last season we didn’t get to play these games such as Invergordon, so we are looking forward to it.
“We have a younger team than last season and have a few boys out with injuries.
“So it is a good chance to give some under-20 and under-18 players from our youth set-up. There are no expectations this season, as we will take each game as it comes.”
Invergordon manager Gary Campbell is looking for his team to overcome the final hurdle after falling away badly in the second half of last season to finish second to champions Golspie Sutherland.
“We want to compete for the title like everyone else,” said Campbell.
“With a bit of luck hopefully we will be up there and win a trophy.
“Last season was disappointing as we had a good start until the break due to Covid.
“We never got out of the traps after the break, so that is something which we will need to try and address.
“The league takes place over a long period of time and hopefully we will be able to overcome the final hurdles this season."
n Kick off is at 2pm.
