Elgin aim for quarter-final place
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REACHING a cup quarter-final is the aim of Elgin City tonight (Wednesday) when they make the trip to face Alloa Athletic.
Jim Weir’s side will take on their Championship hosts on the plastic pitch at Recreation Park in the second round of the Petrofac Training Cup.
The winners will reach the last eight of the competition, a stage Elgin have only reached once in 16 years as a Scottish League club.
Confidence in the Borough Briggs side’s camp has been boosted by recent displays, including back-to-back league wins to take them to the top of League 2.
Assistant boss Gavin Price said although league business is a priority for City this year they will be taking their cup efforts very seriously.
"We want to try and get through to the quarter finals of a cup, of course we do," he said. "It’s probably not something Elgin has had a lot of joy in, in recent seasons.
It is only the fifth time Elgin have managed to get past the first round of the Challenge Cup, and only once have they managed to go a stage further.
Six years ago they managed to defeat Brechin and Albion at home to reach the last eight, where they lost 4-2 away to Annan.
Manager Weir has played the same starting eleven in both league games so far, but Price hinted that changes could be made for the Alloa game to give others some match time.
The likes of St Johnstone loan striker George Hunter, recent signing Jordan Halsman or midfielder Archie Macphee, who is just back from injury, could all come into the frame for a start.
"There’s a couple of knocks, nothing major. Whether we look to freshen up one or two positions, we’ll see what’s in the manager’s thoughts," Price added.
"It might be the opprtunity to do that. Three games in seven days for part-timers as we found out last season is quite hard going."
Both Weir and Price were at Recreation Park on Sunday to watch last year's Petrofac Cup finalists Alloa lose 5-1 against Rangers in a Championship match.
