The Rose start their Scottish Cup journey this season with a trip to Mosset Park to face Highland League side Forres Mechanics for our seventh campaign in modern times and the first competitive fixture between the two sides.

The Can Cans have had currently sit in the middle of the HL table at the moment, having won three, drawn four and only losing two of their nine games so far. Although at an early in the season they have so far far remained unbeaten at home, with both defeats away to Formartine and Brora Rangers respectively. They will be without experienced midfielder Ross "Chuckie" McPherson and Craig Dorrat for the tie due to suspension but manager Charlie Rowley who has spent time quarantining is expected to be back in the dugout, taking back managerial duties from assistant Nathan Sharp who was in temporary charge for the draws vs Clach and Turriff.

Robbie Horn's side go into the tie as Lowland League leaders, despite defeat last time out vs Rangers B having won the previous eight league games in a row and will travel to the Highlands looking to atone for last Saturday. Personnel wise it will be a similar tale to what the manager has experienced for most of the season; some players are due to return from being unavailable while more become unavailable - both for a number of reasons. A positive from last Saturday was the return of Bradley Barrett for the last ten minutes of the game, after recovering from cracked ribs as a result of a heavy challenge at Alliance Park vs Caledonian Braves.

Despite the journey involved there is a supporters' bus travelling and given the number of other enquiries we've received in respect of tickets, there are plenty of others making their own way up for Saturday's game, with a number making a weekend out of it so we will expect to have a decent following at Mosset Park. Admission is via pay at the gate, charges are £8 for adults & £6 concession with stand entry an additional £2. U12s with a paying adult are free.

It is always a tough trip to the Highlands irrespective of who the Rose face there. Saturday's clash vs Forres should prove to be no different.

Rose stats (Since returning to the Scottish Cup in 2010)

• Never lost our first fixture in the Cup (P6 W5 D1).
• Only won once in the Highlands (P4 W1 D2 L1)
• Robbie Horn is undefeated vs Highland League sides as Rose manager (P5 W4 D1 L0)

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