| Nicol returns for Keith but Smith unavailable / Turriff new boy Dorrat out for six weeks |
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A number of players line up against their former clubs at Kynoch Park as Keith and Turriff United begin their respective Highland League challenges against one another on the opening day of the 2010/11 campaign. Keith have brought in full back Craig Phillips and attacker Jonathan Smith over the close season but winger Darren McAllister faces his former employers having joined the Maroons from Turriff midway through last season. Home manager Darren Still is embarking upon his first full season in charge having taken over the reins at Kynoch Park at Christmas time last year and after an intense final few weeks of pre-season that saw his side play six friendlies in a fortnight, he believes his players are ready to meet the challenges of this year head on. He said: "We are looking forward to getting going again and we feel pre-season went well but ultimately, it is what you do from now on in that counts. Turriff United will represent a big challenge for us on the opening day as I fully expect them to climb the table this year and I am sure that as a club, they have higher expectations of themselves. "They have signed recognised Highland League players this summer and that will make them a stronger side and a stronger squad. I am sure Kris (Hunter, Turriff manager) is going into the season with plenty of optimism." The Maroons welcome Derek Nicol and Phil McCall back into their squad for this opener after they missed last weekend's friendly through work commitments but Jonathan Smith is unavailable as he is attending a wedding. Wayne Mackay and Gary Nicol are both out injured and reserve goalkeeper Andrew Duff is on holiday but Jonny Watt and Garry McNamee are both back in contention having returned from their own vacations. Turriff were busy in the transfer market during the early part of the close season bringing in former Keith youths Michael Ewen and Craig Dorrat from Huntly while Cammy Bowden joined from Peterhead, Mark Cowie arrived from Deveronvale and former Montrose goalkeeper Stephen Coutts was also snapped up. Boss Kris Hunter is relishing the trip to a park he regards as a happy hunting ground from his playing days. He explained: "It was fine to get a break but we are now looking forward to getting back to it. Stilly (Darren Still) took over at Keith halfway through last season and you saw the results turn for them. Him and Kinger (Stevie King, Keith assistant) will have them fit and raring to go and they will be looking to do something better this year. "We have a few ex-Keith players in our squad and they all still keep in contact with one another. That will add a bit of spice to it as well and with myself and Brian (Thomson, assistant) being former opponents of Stilly and Kinger but now in the dugouts will also add to it. "Keith is always a nice play to go to and I always liked playing at Keith as a player. The park will be in really good nick as well so hopefully a big crowd will turn out and we can get our season off to a good start." Turriff's hero in this fixture last season Leigh Henderson is out injured as is summer arrival Dorrat, who will miss the first six weeks of the season with a hand injury. Meanwhile, defender Bowden is away on holiday. Referee: Douglas Ross |
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