Highland League: Cove and Forres still fighting for title
By David Reid:With just three games to go in the Highland League the title race is hotting up, and with Forres four points clear of Cove Rangers it'll be interesting to see if there's slip ups along the way.
It's been a very big campaign and a lot of surprises along the way and it's been incredible to watch if you're an expert of the Highland League, or even if you're a stranger of the league.
Cove Rangers made the long trip up to Station Park to take on Nairn County, and speaking ahead of the game former Peterhead and Rangers midfielder Paul Emslie said it was a must win.
It's been a very big campaign and a lot of surprises along the way and it's been incredible to watch if you're an expert of the Highland League, or even if you're a stranger of the league.
Cove Rangers made the long trip up to Station Park to take on Nairn County, and speaking ahead of the game former Peterhead and Rangers midfielder Paul Emslie said it was a must win.
He said: "The game tonight is a huge one for us, we know it could be all over if he don't pick up maximum points from our remaining games.
"The knowledge that we could win all three of the games we have left and still not be champions is bad enough".
"The knowledge that we could win all three of the games we have left and still not be champions is bad enough".
Cove Rangers defeated Nairn 2-0, and followed on from a 3-0 over Turriff United in the Highland League Cup Semi Final and Emslie netted two spectacular free kicks.
"I've been getting a lot of stick from the team because some of my free kicks have flown over the bar, mind you most of this is coming from team mate Murray McCulloch even though no-body in the team can remember when he last scored.
"I work on free kicks a lot though so it's good to see it's paying off and I'm getting some key goals in games and if the opportunity arises tonight I will be fighting to get the ball.
"It's crucial guys like myself pitch in with their fair share of goals, it's unfair to expect the strikers to carry the bulk of the responsibility for that".
Forres's game against Keith was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, leaving manager Charlie Rowley frustrated.
"I've been getting a lot of stick from the team because some of my free kicks have flown over the bar, mind you most of this is coming from team mate Murray McCulloch even though no-body in the team can remember when he last scored.
"I work on free kicks a lot though so it's good to see it's paying off and I'm getting some key goals in games and if the opportunity arises tonight I will be fighting to get the ball.
"It's crucial guys like myself pitch in with their fair share of goals, it's unfair to expect the strikers to carry the bulk of the responsibility for that".
Forres's game against Keith was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, leaving manager Charlie Rowley frustrated.
"We're very disappointed that the game has been postponed, they're the only side that we haven't beaten this season," he said.
"With Cove playing up at Nairn tonight that's got a game that could have a turning point in the title race but we've to just concentrate on what we've to do in these last three games.
"They'll be tough opposistion against Keith, Turriff and Fraserburgh but we're top of the league for a reason and we've been playing some good football this season to stay top.
"Wick was the last side to beat us back in February and then the following week we had the top of the table clash against Cove which was a 1-1 draw and I think we've took more advantage from the draw than Cove have".
"They'll be tough opposistion against Keith, Turriff and Fraserburgh but we're top of the league for a reason and we've been playing some good football this season to stay top.
"Wick was the last side to beat us back in February and then the following week we had the top of the table clash against Cove which was a 1-1 draw and I think we've took more advantage from the draw than Cove have".
