Lossiemouth manager Joe Russell hopeful of result at Fraserburgh but wary of 'wounded animal'
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LOSSIEMOUTH manager Joe Russell is hopeful his side can emulate Keith and Forres Mechanics by taking points off Fraserburgh on Saturday.
After narrow defeats to the top two, 2-1 at Buckie Thistle and 2-0 at home to Brechin City on Saturday, Russell is hopeful his side can go one step further and pick up a result tomorrow.
However, he said his side will have be wary of the champions – who he knows will be keen to bounce back after their 2-2 draw with Keith.
“They’ll be a bit of a wounded animal,” Russell said.
“We’ve not done particularly well at Fraserburgh over the years but hopefully we can take confidence from Keith and Forres getting points against them and do the same.
“If they can do it then there’s no reason we can’t, but we have to be wary of them.”
Lossie have dropped to 15th in the Highland League, but are only three points from ninth in a compact table.
Russell added: "It's very tight. It's the same as last year.
"We can't get complacent because a couple of wins and it can turn on its head. We were up there a few weeks ago so we've got to keep in mind that with a win or two we can move up."
Having initially received a reprieve after a 3-0 first round loss to Nairn County, Lossiemouth were knocked out of the Highland League Cup by Brechin City as goals from Grady McGrath and Fraser MacLeod sealed a 2-0 win for City.
“We played pretty well and were unlucky to go in a goal down at half-time,” Russell said.
“There was an offside call for their goal which we felt hard done by with.
"The goal scorer looked offside and blocks the run of the defender so is interfering with play. It was a tough call for the linesman but we had to dust ourselves down at half-time.
"We had a couple of chances and a couple of decisions could have swayed our way but it wasn’t to be.
“We are just falling short at the minute so we need to keep pushing, working hard and not lose focus.”
