This week sees the first competitive match between Beauly and Lovat for a number of years as the two sides have been drawn together in the Artemis Macaulay Cup 1st Round. Read below interview with Lovat marksman Marc MacLachlan, with another interview from Beauly’s Colin MacDonald coming later in the week…

How has the team been preparing for the Macaulay Cup game against Beauly?

Well after a good win away to Kyle’s on Saturday the team is in good spirit. Saturday was the strongest team we have fielded this year as all players bar Lorne Mackay available now which makes a massive difference. We’ll train hard this week and put together a game plan for Saturday

It’s been a mixed campaign so far for Lovat, does the Macaulay Cup provide one of the best chances for silverware this year? 

Yeah we have a up and down season so far the first 5 games players availability has definitely hindered us. The Macaulay cup is a good chance for silverware this year we have always done well up in to the semi-final where we seem to faulter but having a local derby in first round the semi-final not even in our thoughts right now.

What kind of challenge are you expecting from Beauly?

We are expecting a tough test this week Beauly are in same boat as us this year some good results some bad. Both teams are scoring goals which makes for a good game. Plus derby matches no one can call them doesn’t matter who in form at the time.

You’ve bagged a couple of important goals yourself, in the draw against Newtonmore and the 1-0 win over Kinlochshiel, how important is it to be sharp against these kinds of teams? 

Being sharp and taking chances against any teams in the Premier League is important as defences don’t usually give you many so it’s important to be sharp. I feel if the chances fall to me I can take them.

You played for Beauly in the past, does that provide extra motivation to do well on Saturday? 

Well, I want to win every game of shinty as I’m a bad loser but having played for them for many years and still have good friends there I’m extra motivated. I think having to work with a few of the Beauly lads losing not an option as the stick I’ll get from them will be enough to hand in my P45 to be honest. Hopefully things go our way on Saturday but we will definitely have to work hard as Beauly have seriously improved and are a very dangerous team. Be a good game for neutral on Saturday that’s for sure.