Alness United are looking to end their five-year wait for silverware as they aim to lift the Jock Mackay Cup on Saturday.

United will take on Clachnacuddin A in the final which takes place at Ali MacGregor Park in Invergordon with kick-off at 1pm.

The last time United won a tournament was back in 2021 when they lifted the Ness Cup after winning the North Caledonian League Division Two title when the league was split into two due to Covid.

They have come close to adding more silverware in the cabinet at Dalmore Park since. Last season they reached the Football Times Cup final but lost 2-0 to Halkirk United.

Manager Rob MacCormack says it has been too long since Alness last won a trophy and is determined to end the drought this weekend.

He said: “We were in the cup final last season and didn’t win. And a couple of seasons ago we got beat by Inverness Athletic.

“It is disappointing that we haven’t won a trophy since 2021, although we were up against a strong Invergordon team in the last period of time.

“This is a massive chance to go on and win the first cup, but it certainly won’t be easy.”

Despite Alness reaching a cup final, MacCormack says that United’s form this season has been frustrating.

They currently find themselves in sixth place in the North Caledonian League and 11 points behind leaders Thurso who they lost to 3-0 last weekend.

MacCormack says he knows what his squad are capable of which makes their results this season disappointing.

He said: “It has been frustrating, we have been excellent and poor and that is not what we expected.

“You don’t win every game and there are some really good teams in the league.

“But we haven’t helped ourselves, especially in the league as we have lost some games that we shouldn’t have had.

“But I know what the guys are capable of, it is about getting that every week.

“But we are such a young team, it is frustrating but you have to accept that these guys won’t be at it every week and try to develop every week.”

Alness and Clachnacuddin A have faced each other twice this season and shared one win a piece.

MacCormack says both teams are very similar, but is confident they can produce what is required to lift the trophy on Saturday.

He said: “We have played them twice beat them at home and they beat us in Inverness.

“We know how they play and what they are like.

“They are a good young team, similar to ourselves.

“Grant Munro has done a really good job and got them really competitive and on their day they can compete with every team in the league.

“We know what we are up against, but if we play well we have every chance.”