by Jack Nixon
Ellon have a quick opportunity to put behind them tomorrow the narrow 32 - 31 defeat they suffered in their quest to win promotion from Caley Division 1 last week in Grangemouth when they entertain Hillfoots at the Meadows.
The Aberdeenshire side will be expected to beat the lowly placed Clackmannanshire side but will be inclined to be looking for the result of the Grangemouth versus Dunfermline game, the only unbeaten teams in the division, and vying for the one promotion slot available.
In the meantime at the other end of the table Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen Wanderers will meet at Woodside where the prize in this all Aberdeen derby will be a first league win of season, although in fairness both sides have turned in some entertaining performances without reward.
In Caley 2 North, five teams are locked on 10 points at the head of affairs, although it is Moray who top this highly competitive division by virtue of their superior points difference which they will be bidding to boost when they host winless Banff.
But the eye catching game is in Inverness where 2nd Highland and Mackie clash in what could be a season defining result on the Astro turf of Canal Park which will be a new experience for the Stonehaven club who handed RAF Lossiemouth their first defeat of the season in a thrilling 36 - 22 win last week at Redcloak.
Shetland and 2nd Gordonians are back in action after a week’s break, seeking to force their way to the top slot when they meet in Lerwick.
At the bottom of the division 2nd Aberdeen Grammar and North Scotland Police clash at Rubislaw with the clear aim of breaking their ducks.
In Caley 3 North, unbeaten records will be on the line at Inverurie where Garioch and Dyce, the top two in the division meet at Kellands Park.
At Kings College, Aberdeen University Medics will be keen to improve on their two defeats to date, although their two losing bonus points gained in their games with Garioch bear testimony to the quality they bring to the game with Fraserbugh who have yet to taste action.
Elsewhere 2nd Aberdeenshire and Deeside should be a cracker, while the Stornaway meeting with Inverness Craig Dunain will not be for the faint of heart.
Highflying Kinloss Eagles might just be brought down to earth at Thurso where they play 2nd Caithness.
And last but certainly not least Turriff host 3rd Highland.