McAllister Eyes Glory as Formartine United Faces Aberdeen in Cup Final

Rory McAllister is determined to secure his first trophy with Formartine United as they prepare to face Aberdeen in the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup final on March 15, 2024. The match will take place at Harlaw Park in Inverurie, marking a significant moment for both teams as they battle for silverware.

McAllister, a seasoned striker with over 300 goals in his career, joined Formartine this summer with aspirations of winning trophies. He has previously claimed four League Two titles and one League One title during his time in the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). At 38, he is eager to make an impact and said, “I didn’t come to Formartine to just wind down – I’m here to play and I’m here to win things.”

Formartine’s Ambition for Success

Formartine United is chasing their first piece of silverware since February 2019, and McAllister believes their current squad has the quality to achieve that goal. “Winning the Aberdeenshire Cup would be right up there with everything else I’ve won,” he remarked. “I haven’t won a cup competition since I was playing juvenile football, so it would be brilliant to win a cup.”

McAllister highlighted the dedication of the club’s supporters, stating, “There’s good backing from people around the club who have been here a long time.” He emphasized the importance of victory for both the players and the loyal fanbase, many of whom have not witnessed a trophy in years. “It would be great for them to win something again,” he added.

Formartine has demonstrated impressive form, losing only once in their last 16 matches across all competitions. McAllister is excited about the challenge of facing a full-time team like Aberdeen. “It’s going to be difficult because they’re all full-time and they play in the SPFL, so they’ll be good players,” he said. Nonetheless, he remains confident in his team’s capabilities, noting their status as one of the most in-form teams in the Highland League.

Aberdeen Aiming for Cup Redemption

On the opposing side, Cooper Masson, a promising 16-year-old midfielder for Aberdeen, hopes to help his team secure their first Aberdeenshire Cup win since 2004. The Dons aspire to lift the trophy for the 36th time in their storied history. Masson referred to the potential victory as a “massive achievement,” emphasizing the importance of winning in football, even at youth levels.

Masson is currently on loan at Kelty Hearts and has made 11 appearances in League One and the League Cup. He believes that playing in men’s football is crucial to developing a winning mentality. “Winning matters a lot more in men’s football,” he explained, noting the different pressures compared to youth competitions.

Aberdeen has navigated challenging matches to reach the final, overcoming teams like Fraserburgh and Banks o’ Dee. Masson acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match against Formartine, stating, “They’re well-structured and good at what they do.” He expressed confidence in his team’s abilities but understands the challenge ahead.

As the two teams prepare for this highly anticipated encounter, both McAllister and Masson embody the determination and passion that make cup finals a highlight of the football calendar. The clash at Harlaw Park promises to be an exciting showcase of talent and aspiration, with both teams eager to leave their mark in the Aberdeenshire Cup’s rich history.