NORFOLK LEAGUE: Highland Select v Ross County Reserves
Saturday 13th March 2010, Kick off: 19:00 CET,
at Pub Car Park, Scotland.

This weekend weekend, the Big Game Preview travels up north as we feature the Highland Derby between two sides looking for points to increase their chances of staying in the Norfolk League. Highland are still looking for their first league win of the campaign and lie 5 points adrift of County, who themselves are just 1 point clear of the drop zone.

THE SEASON SO FAR

Highland Select are back in the top flight for the first time since season 6 after finishing runners up last season in Division One. They have found life in the top division tough and are still seaking their first win. They have earned draws against Dutch Warriors, City of Uhra and Ross County, whilst all four of their defeats have been by a solitary goal suggesting they are just in need of a turn in their luck. In the cups they have been in good form and remain undefeated in 90 mins. The highlight was their triumph over league leaders HM Gunners in both legs, scoring a total of 7 goals in the process. Toon Army are the only team to deny them victory after defeating Highland on penalties in the Trophy.

After a stuttering finish to last season, Ross County's home form has helped move them out of the relegation zone. At home they have defeated two of the strongest sides in the division in the shape of Hotshots and Amazingstoke whilst City of Uhra and Highland have also been held to draws. They have suffered three defeats on their travels though, failing to score a goal in the process. County have been involved in some entertaining cup games so far this season. They reached the 2nd round of the Trophy before losing to City of Uhra 3-2, and they are in a good position to progress to the Quarter Finals of the League Cup.

Pos	Team	Pld	Pts	GD
1	HM Gunners	7	18	+12
2	Ash Samba Boyz	7	12	-1
3	City of Uhra	7	11	+1
4	Hotshots	7	10	0
5	Dutch Warriors	7	10	-2
6	Ross County Reserves	7	8	-3
7	Amazingstoke Gooners	7	7	-3
8	Highland Select	7	3	-4

CURRENT FORM

League: Home & Away

Team	Pld	Won	Drn	Lst	GF	GA	PTS
Highland Select	6	0	3	3	6	9	3
Ross County Reserves	6	2	2	2	8	8	8

Team	Pld	Won	Drn	Lst	GF	GA	PTS
Highland Select (H)	6	3	1	2	17	7	10
Ross County Reserves (A)	6	0	0	6	2	14	8

All Competitions: Home & Away

Team	Pld	Won	Drn	Lst	GF	GA	PTS
Highland Select	6	3	2	1	13	9	11
Ross County Reserves	6	4	1	1	9	4	13

SEQUENCES:

Highland Select:
- Have only lost 1 of their last 7 matches,
- Have gone 7 league games without a win.
- Have only lost 2 of their last 10 home league matches.
- Have gone 7 league matches without a clean sheet.

Ross County Reserves:
- Have won 4 of their last 6 games.
- Have only lost 1 of their last 6 matches.
- Have lost their last 7 away league games.
- Have kept 3 clean sheets in their last 6 games.

THE HOTSHOTS

Highland Select:
- Kearney McGrath has scored 9 goals in his last 13 league games.

Ross County Reserves:
- Gustav Turr has scored 2 goals in his last 3 games.

ITS A STAT:

Highland Select:
- Teo Perona made his 50th league appearance for Highland last weekend.
- Timothy Sykes made his 175th appearance for Highland last weekend.
- Kearny McGrath made his 75th appearance for Highland last weekend.
- Highland currently have 5 players fighting for the clubs league goalscoring record. Sainz, Milenkovic and Ylser currently hold the record on 19, whilst Normlund and McGrath have 18.

Ross County Reserves:
- Jeremiah James is just 2 goals short of reaching the 50 goal landmark.
- Clifford Daly is in line to make his 50th league apperance for the club.

PAST MEETINGS:

	Played	Highland	Ross C.R.	Draws
All Competitions	3	0	2	1
At Pub Car Park	1	0	1	0
In the league	3	0	2	1
Between the managers	3	0	2	1

LAST MEETING
06/03/2010, Norfolk League

Ross County Reserves	1	Highland Select	1
Turr	37	Ashford	17

TEAM NEWS

Highland Select:
- Midfielder Mathéus Helder and striker Kearney McGrath both return from suspension.
- They have a fully fit squad to chose from.

Ross County Reserves:
- Striker Gustav Türr returns from suspension.
- They have a fully fit squad to chose from.

THE REF:

Warren Peace, Skill 5, Hard 5.
Games: 53
Penalties awarded: 8
Yellows per game: 2.38
Reds per game: 0.09

PREDICTION

Both sides will be desperate for the points to improve their survival hopes. Highland have been struggling in the league but have been in excellent form in the cups. Their home form was one of the keys to their promotion campaign last season, whilst Ross County haven't won away in the league since October.

There will be an intruiging midfield battle between Jeremiah James and Rafael Sainz, the star men of the two sides. Oliver Spence will be a key figure at the back for County if they are to cope with Highlands abundance of pace up front whilst Highland will need to be careful of conceding too many free kicks around the area with both Vinnie Poole and Jeremiah James being dangerous from dead ball situations.

PREDICTION: 2-1 Highland Select

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