Highland League preview: Max Ewan aims to get back to his best with Nairn County

Max Ewan is aiming to rediscover his best form with Nairn County as they take on Clachnacuddin in a derby clash.

The winger rejoined the Wee County, who travel to Grant Street Park on Saturday, earlier this month following five years with Brora Rangers.

During his time with the Cattachs, Ewan helped them win two Breedon Highland League titles, three R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cups and two North of Scotland Cups.

However, last season a mixture of injuries, suspension and the form of others, meant Ewan’s game time was limited with Brora.

As a result, the 25-year-old felt he would benefit from a move back to Nairn, who he played for from 2017 until 2021, and he hasn’t missed a minute of County’s four matches since rejoining.

Ahead of taking on Clach, Ewan said: “When the opportunity arose to come back to Nairn it was a no-brainer for me because it’s somewhere I know I’ll enjoy my football.

“I feel I’m a more complete, more rounded player now so hopefully I can do well.

“Last season was a frustrating one for me and it was hard to get any kind of rhythm or form.

“I did pre-season with Brora, but I thought about a lot of things and I felt I needed a fresh start to try to get back as fit and as sharp as I can.

“When I get a run of games that’s when I play my best football.

“Wednesday’s game against Lossiemouth is the best I’ve felt and it’s the fourth 90 minutes I’ve had in the space of a couple of weeks.

“I feel like I’m getting sharper and getting back towards my best.”

Clach boss aiming to improve derby record

Meanwhile, Clach’s Conor Gethins wants his side to be more ruthless after defeat to Forres Mechanics and a draw with Keith in the last week.

The Lilywhites boss is also eager to perform better in the derbies this season after managing only one point out of six last term.

Gethins, who as a player netted 209 goals for Nairn, added: “There’s always a bit of spice in these games. No matter the form going into it, it comes down to who wants it the most on the day.

“Last season we lost and drew against Nairn and that was disappointing so we need to try to improve against them.

“I don’t quite know what we’re going to get at the moment. In the first few games I thought we played some really good stuff and we looked strong.

“But in the last couple of games we haven’t done enough and we’ve struggled to find the net.

“We’re creating some chances, but we don’t really look like taking them and that needs to change.”

Lossie look to continue excellent opening

Lossiemouth are enjoying their best start to a Breedon Highland League season for 67 years and co-manager Kevin Flett has urged his players not to rest on their laurels.

The Coasters are unbeaten in their first six league games and are second in the tableahead of tackling third-placed Fraserburgh at Grant Park on Saturday.

This is Lossie’s best undefeated streak at the beginning of a league campaign since season 1959-60, when they got through their first nine fixtures without losing.

Flett, who is joint-boss with Martin Charlesworth, said: “We’re delighted with the start we’ve made – we couldn’t have asked for more from the boys in the first six games.

“They’ve been fantastic and we’re asking for the same again from them because we’ve got a very tough game against Fraserburgh.

“It’s pleasing to be sitting second in the league at the moment and it’s credit to the boys.

“They’re a great bunch and from the start of pre-season up to this point they’ve put in an incredible amount of work.

“The boys have been brilliant, but we want to keep it going, we won’t let complacency sink in or take our foot off the gas.”

Sargent ready to fire

Meanwhile, Fraserburgh’s Ryan Sargent is eager to find his best form in front of goal.

The striker has scored three times since returning to his hometown team from Elgin City this summer, but could have had more.

He said: “I’m getting the chances, but I need to be scoring them, I’m getting in the right areas, but they haven’t been going in.

“My overall game has been fine, but the goals haven’t quite been coming.

“If I keep doing what I’m doing the goals will come and when they do hopefully I can get on a bit of a run.

“As a team we can’t get too caught up in losing on Wednesday (2-1 to Inverurie Locos), we just need to respond in the right manner against Lossiemouth.”

News from around the Highland League

Elsewhere, Rothes and Wick Academy are both aiming for their first points of the campaign when they meet at Mackessack Park.

The Speysiders are without Ruairi Duncan, but are set to field former Elgin City, Strathspey Thistle and Forres Mechanics striker Dylan Lawrence as a trialist after he scored against Formartine United in midweek.

The Scorries welcome back Marc MacGregor, James Mackintosh, Kieran MacGregor and Marc Coghill. Meanwhile, 39-year-old striker Gary Weir is also set to travel after featuring against Invergordon on Wednesday, more than three years after his last Academy appearance.

Invergordon will have trialists Gary Kerr, the former Nairn, Rothes, Strathspey Thistle and Clachnacuddin striker, and Wick-based midfielder Grant MacNab in their squad for the meeting with Buckie Thistle at Ali MacGregor Park. Josh Peters and Harry Noble return for the Jags.

Champions Brora Rangers aim to continue their unbeaten start when Inverurie Locos, who haven’t lost since the first day of the season, visit Dudgeon Park.

The Cattachs may again be without James Clark and Tony Dingwall, while Greg Mitchell and Jay Halliday are sidelined for the Railwaymen.

Huntly are without Dylan Shaw, Angus Grant, James Connelly and Dylan Souden for Banks o’ Dee’s trip to Christie Park. Kane Winton, Jevan Anderson and Daniel Hoban are out for Dee.

Turriff United welcome back Murray Thompson for the encounter with Strathspey Thistle at the Haughs. Rorie Macleod is suspended for the Grantown side.

Jack Brown returns for Formartine United, who face Keith at North Lodge Park. James Brownie and Callum Robertson are out for the Maroons.

Deveronvale are without Grant Moroney, Austin Sparkes, Max Stewart, Jayden Goldie, Thomas Reid, Euan Storrier and Rocco Chalmers for their Princess Royal Park clash with Forres Mechanics, who are at full strength.

[Source: Press and Journal]