THE story of Formartine United still has only a working title but its first plot twist is already being written.
It was punctuated heavily on Wednesday night as the Highland League side overcame SPFL League 2 Elgin City 5-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Ramsdens Cup, a hat trick from Cameron Keith bringing with it enough encouragement for Formartine to append the phrase "Super Cammy is fantastic, United are ferocious" to the title page of their website. It is an inside joke since they are managed by Steve Paterson - who helped Super Caley go ballistic some 13 years ago - but also serves as a warning to clubs in the senior leagues that might also become the punchline.
Annan Athletic would do well to put their guard up then, the League 2 side having emerged from the draw yesterday as Formartine's hosts on September 7. It is perhaps a remark on the Aberdeenshire side's ambition that they will now have to rearrange a league fixture to accommodate the tie, although that would have been made timidly since Paterson has constructed a squad of formidable grunt. Among a team which has swatted aside both Elgin and East Stirlingshire in this competition were Craig McKeown, the former Dundee defender, and erstwhile Celtic and Aberdeen midfielder Callum Bagshaw. "With home advantage I thought we would [beat Elgin]," said Paterson.
Such confidence must be informed by the squad since inspiration is not to be found in the club's past. Formartine were only granted a place in the Highland League four years ago and were just getting comfortable when officials were informed that the club crest had to be unchanged under heraldic law - a Saltire was removed in December - an alteration which came at some cost given that the badge adorned merchandise as well as parts of the club's North Lodge Park home. There was further heartbreak last season, too; the Pitmedden club losing the title to Cove Rangers on the final day of the campaign.
Formartine have given their riposte by winning their first three league games this term to take second place behind Wick Academy on goal difference, while also elbowing two senior clubs out of the Ramsdens Cup. "Our objective is to try and win the club its first trophy and we came close last season," said Paterson, who was appointed in 2011. "But we've strengthened the squad and started with five victories.
"We have maybe raised our profile a bit but I think clubs are finding out that they are vulnerable against teams from maybe the top six in the Highland League. We all have decent footballers, you know. Most of our players have been involved in senior football at one time or another and the ones that haven't are all top-level Highland League players. I think this tie is in the balance."
Queen of the South cannot yet measure themselves against their opponents in the next round given they have been drawn against either Rangers or Berwick Rangers, albeit the holders might find themselves leaning towards one in particular. Nobody is likely to bet against the Ibrox side progressing next Tuesday, a result which would afford them a re-enactment of their meeting with Queens at the same stage last term.
"Winning two trophies at Queen's last season was terrific and the highlight was probably our quarter-final Ramsdens Cup success at Ibrox," said Sandy Clark, who was assistant to Allan Johnston as the Dumfries side won through on penalties. "If Rangers win against Berwick, they will see this as a perfect opportunity for revenge."
That will be all the more delicious should Nicky Clark pop up with a winner, the striker having decamped from Dumfries following a prolific campaign marked by a goal in that tie at Ibrox. "I loved my time at Queen of the South and undoubtedly it helped get me into the SPL with Kilmarnock," said Sandy Clark, now assisting Johnston at Rugby Park. "However I have to support my son and hope his team goes through."
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