North of Scotland Cup 2017-18

[HibeeJibee]

This tournament - the only local cup for the westerly HL clubs, following the demise of the Inverness Cup some years ago - was played off the end of the season, in the season just ended; but that experiment mirroring the Lowland League Cup has lasted just 1yr so it returns to midweek dates in the autumn mirroring the Aberdeenshire Cup... After none in 2016, there may be 2 NofSC finals in 2017.

Elgin have decided to participate, but not ICT or Ross County. Number of North Caledonian sides has halved from 4 to 2 with Invergordon and Golspie Sutherland flying the flag. Draws and dates:


First Round - Wednesday 23rd August
Brora Rangers v Clachnacuddin
Forres Mechanics v Rothes
Fort William v Elgin City
Wick Academy v Invergordon
byes - Golspie Sutherland, Lossiemouth, Nairn County, Strathspey Thistle

Second Round - Wednesday 6th September
Fort William / Elgin City v Forres Mechanics / Rothes
Lossiemouth v Strathspey Thistle
Nairn County v Brora Rangers / Clachnacuddin
Wick Academy / Invergordon v Golspie Sutherland

Semi Finals - Wednesday 4th October
(Fort William / Elgin City) / (Forres Mechanics / Rothes) v Nairn County / (Brora Rangers / Clachnacuddin)
(Wick Academy / Invergordon) / Golspie Sutherland v Lossiemouth / Strathspey Thistle

[HibeeJibee]

Fort William scratched.

Can't raise team.

[Vale Vale Vale]

1 hour ago, HibeeJibee said:

Fort William scratched.

Can't raise team.

Should they scrap this cup?

 

[Cyclizine]

Should they scrap this cup?
 

It's still a well regarded competition. I think Fort's player recruitment problems have been well documented previously and they seem to be having some sort of injury crisis. Players are still at their summer league clubs and you can't play trialists in the cup.