Lossiemouth 0 Clachnacuddin 2: Coasters boss Ian Campbell 'disappointed' by loss to close rivals
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LOSSIEMOUTH manager Ian Campbell knows his side will have to be at their best to get anything against Fraserburgh.
However, a floodlit Friday night match at Bellslea Park could play into the Coasters' hands, according to the Lossie boss.
"I always think that midweek games, under the floodlights, make it feel more like a cup tie and give it that sort of psychology," he said.
"That could give us a boost, but we have got to start well and defend well to get anything at the Broch – and we will need a bit more cutting edge, because we have been poor in that regard in the last few games."
Highland League sides were given the opportunity to change their games from Saturday to Friday night to avoid clashing with Scotland's Euro 2024 qualifier against Cyprus at Hampden in Glasgow (kick-off Saturday 2pm).
Lossie's trip to Fraserburgh is the only game that was taken forward, though, with Campbell adding that his players were happy to play the game a day early.
"It's an early start for us but our players were keen to have the game on the Friday night," he added. "A lot of them go down to Scotland games so it worked out for them.
"A few of them might even go down together so it could work out as a sort of team-bonding thing."
Lossiemouth head into the Fraserburgh game off the back of a 2-0 loss to Clachnacuddin at Grant Park on Saturday.
Dean Stewart's first half own goal was added to by a Paul Brindle goal in second half stoppage time, scored while Lossie were searching for a leveller.
"I wouldn't say the scoreline was a fair reflection," Campbell said. "They started off better than and scored with an own goal from Dean that could have gone anywhere.
"Cammy (Farquhar, goalkeeper) didn't have a lot to do throughout the game. We tried to push to get a result, an equaliser and a winner because a draw isn't much use to us, and we lost a goal in the 92nd minute.
"There wasn't a lot between the teams but it's disappointing because we are aiming to get results against the teams in and around us. The boys were really disappointed."
With five games left, Lossiemouth face four of the Highland League's longest trips – north to Wick Academy and Brora Rangers, and east to Fraserburgh and Banks O' Dee – with Rothes at home in mid-April.
A tricky run-in, then, but the Coasters are aiming to pick up points ahead of the trip to Wick on the last day – where they hope to ensure they finish above the Scorries.
Campbell added: "The boys are starting to feel the season now with heavy legs, so it's difficult to raise it against the better sides.
"But we want to compete as best we can and try to get into the mindset that we can compete with the better teams and snatch a couple of points going into the Wick game.
"That's a chance for another three points. Wick are similar to us, being up and down.
"It's not a horrendous run that we have been on, but we have lost six points to Clach, Deveronvale and Huntly now, and those are points we could be gaining."
Lossiemouth have announced the signing of Brandon Hutcheson from Forres Thistle on a pre-contact, with the forward joining in summer on a two-year deal.
Ross Archibald has gone in the other direction, joining the Jags on loan until the end of the season.
