BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Garry Wood reckons there are similarities between Formartine United’s bid to make Scottish Cup history and Ross County’s unforgettable charge to the 2010 final.
The 27-year-old was part of the Staggies’ fairytale run, when they belied First Division status to dump out Hibs and Celtic on their way to the Hampden showpiece against Dundee United.
Wood, who scored against Hibs during that campaign and bagged a hat-trick in the 9-0 win over Stirling Albion in the fourth round, featured in the final as a second-half substitute as the dream finally ended with a 3-0 defeat against United.
Nevertheless, he lapped up County’s underdog status during that season – and can see parallels in Formartine’s attempts dispatch Cove Rangers today and reach the fourth round for the first time.
The former Inverness, Peterhead and Montrose man said: “Over the years I’ve had some great memories, especially reaching the final with Ross County.
“Ross County were in the First Division at the time and, to beat Hibs and Celtic, we were the underdogs all the way. It is the same sort of thing we are drawing on here. To reach the fourth round as a Highland League club would be a massive achievement.
“We made a bit of history at Ross County, it would be great to do the same at Formartine, albeit in the earlier rounds.”
Paul Lawson, a stalwart in that County side, is also on the books of Formartine as they target a tie against one of his former clubs, Motherwell, in the next round.
Wood continued: “A few of the younger boys have asked about what it’s like to play in those later rounds, and we’ll always pass on that advice. But this is everyone’s chance to write their own bit of history.”
