It would be fair to say that football plays a huge part in Deveronvale Manager Scott Anderson’s life however, a far more important event has disrupted his plans for Saturday’s debut in The Ramsdens Cup against Stirling Albion.
Anderson is hoping that his side do the business against Albion in 90 minutes and do not have to rely on extra-time or a penalty shoot-out as members of his squad are due to be at the wedding of team-mate James Blanchard. The goalkeeper is understandably missing the tie and the SFL agreed that kick-off against Jocky Scott’s side could be brought forward by two hours to allow his colleagues to join in the celebrations. However, they will need to get a result quickly to avoid a mad dash.
Anderson said: “There is a great sense of excitement about this game and we are delighted to be involved although we are missing one of our most experienced players in James. We will have to try and win the game in the 90 minutes to allow his team-mates to join him at his wedding.”
The Banff side are also due to be without the experienced pair of Graeme Watt and Gordon Carstairs through injury to leave Anderson saying: “It will be a big ask to progress against Stirling as we will be a bit shorthanded but there is a great sense of excitement about being involved in The Ramsdens Cup. As one of the first two Highland League clubs to be invited, we were delighted to accept and I am sure Buckie were the same.”
Anderson, who works full-time with SPL Aberdeen at Pittodrie in their Community Coaching Department, and is the brother of Stuart, who has played for Southampton, Blackpool, Ross County and Peterhead (and was a contender for the SFL’s Goal of the Season last year,) said: “The Highland League begins next Saturday and that is normally the big kick off but this game has generated more excitement. Stirling played Cove Rangers recently and lost 2-1 and I had a spy at that game but I am not being fooled by that.
“Cove have quite a narrow pitch whereas our surface at Princess Royal Park is one of the biggest and best in the Highland League. That was one of Stirling’s first games with a new squad and I am sure they will have gelled since then. Jocky Scott and John Blackley will have them very fit and very organised so we will have to be at our best to do anything.”
Anderson has been involved in football since he left his Aberdeen home to sign for Rangers two decades ago and a season in Glasgow was followed by thjree years at St. Johnstone where he worked under Alex Totten, John McClelland and Paul Sturrock however, his senior career never got off the ground.
“I was involved in a few first team squads at Perth,” said Anderson before adding, “I picked up an injury that kept me out for over a season and cost me the chance to play at senior level however, I went on to play in the Highland League ironically for both Deveronvale and Buckie Thistle.
“I was Co-Manager here for two seasons with Stuart Glennie before becoming sole Manager last season and we almost won the Highland League Championship but were pipped by Buckie on the last day. It has been a long time waiting to get that game out of our systems and we will finally do that against Stirling.”
Deveronvale are no strangers to cup football against SFL sides as they have been regulars in the Scottish Cup and last season, they faced a side that had been in the Final of that knock-out competition in May 2009.
Anderson said: “We did well in the Scottish Cup last season and after beating Inverurie Locos, we played Ross County in their first game in the Scottish Cup since they lost to Dundee United in the Final. We lost 4-1 but gave a good account of ourselves and first and foremost, that is what we are looking to do against Stirling as well.”
The red and white shirted side’s goalscorer that day was Mike McKenzie and his recent Testimonial gave Anderson an uneasy 90 minutes as he explained: “We played Aberdeen for Mike’s big game and it was a great way to build up for the new season. However, with working at Pittodrie, I was just hoping that the game would pass by without one of the players being injured. I would not have heard the last of it in my day job if that had been the case.”
The Deveronvale squad that ran Buckie so close has been enhanced by the return of Grant Noble after two seasons at Turiff United with Anderson saying: “We will go into this game with the same squad that did well last season with the addition of Grant. We have a young squad with a fair number coming through our youth programme.
“We also have striker Michelle Lombardi, who played with Aberdeen, East Fife, Forfar and Huntly, and he is a big player for us as are Graham Rodger and Chris Blackhall who were outstanding last season.
“I am hoping that we show what we can do in The Ramsdens Cup.”
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