ROYAL Albert have a mammoth trip this weekend as they hit the road to the Highlands to take on Fraserburgh in the first round of the Scottish Cup.
It's also a 219-mile trip into the unknown as the Albert Park outfit know little or nothing about their opponents.
Statistics point out that Fraserburgh are in the lower half of the Highland League table. The facts, however, also reveal that they
are unbeaten in league business, having won one and drawn three of their four games.
And in recent weeks the Bellslea Park club even held the SPL's Aberdeen to a 3-3 draw in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
That all adds up to a formidable task for the Albert to come away with a result as they continue to struggle to find any kind of form.
Prof Blaikie
Looking ahead to the cup tie tomorrow, Albert manager Prof Blaikie told the Hawick News: "Fraserburgh will be well aware that we have not been doing well and I'm sure they'll be coming at us from the start.
"In fact, I'm sure they'll be throwing everything but the kitchen sink our way."
The Royalists suffered another heavy defeat last weekend as they slipped 4-0 to Leith Athletic in Edinburgh. That makes it 23 goals lost in the league so far this season and just three scored.
And although Blaikie admits that Fraserburgh will start the match as overwhelming favourites, he was confident they could give a good show.
However, he has urged his side to cut out the mistakes that have cost them dear so far.
He added: "In recent games we have contributed to our own downfall, but tomorrow we will really have to get things right as I am expecting Fraserburgh to be a very good side.
"We are the underdogs and we have a lot to prove.
"But although results have not been good for us, we have never been short of spirit. Nobody really expects us to do well, but we will be giving it our best."
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