McAllister and Masson Lead Teams into Aberdeenshire Cup Final

The stage is set for an exciting clash as Rory McAllister and Cooper Masson prepare to lead their respective teams into the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup final on March 15, 2024. Formartine United will face Aberdeen at Harlaw Park in Inverurie, with both players eager to secure a significant victory for their clubs.

McAllister, who joined Formartine this summer, has expressed his determination to win trophies with his new team. The 38-year-old striker has enjoyed a prolific career in the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), scoring over 300 goals during his time with clubs such as Peterhead, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Cove Rangers, and Montrose. Having won four League Two titles and one League One title, he now seeks to add silverware with Formartine, who last claimed a trophy in February 2019.

“I didn’t come to Formartine to just wind down,” McAllister stated. “I’m here to play and I’m here to win things. Hopefully, Friday can be the start of that.” He emphasized the quality of the players brought into the squad, believing they are in a strong position to challenge for honors this season. Winning the Aberdeenshire Cup would hold particular significance for him, as he has not lifted a cup since his juvenile days with Middlefield Wasps.

Formartine’s recent form has been impressive, with only one loss in their last 16 matches across all competitions. McAllister looks forward to the challenge of competing against full-time players from 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. But we’re one of the most in-form teams in the Highland League and we’re doing well,” he noted.

### Masson Seeks Historic Win for Aberdeen

On the other side, Masson, a promising 16-year-old midfielder, aims to help Aberdeen secure their first Aberdeenshire Cup title since 2004. The Dons aspire to lift the trophy for the 36th time in their history, marking a long-awaited return to success in this storied competition.

“It would be a massive achievement to win it and it would be great for the boys to get our hands on a trophy,” Masson said, highlighting the importance of winning even at youth levels. He is also gaining valuable experience through his loan spell at Kelty Hearts, where he has made 11 appearances. Masson believes that competing in men’s football is crucial for developing a winning mentality.

“My loan is helping me a lot; the physicality is something different that I’m having to adjust to,” he explained. “Winning matters a lot more in men’s football. If we play well and lose, the performance doesn’t really matter either because we’ve lost.”

Aberdeen has navigated through challenging ties to reach the final, overcoming teams like Fraserburgh and Banks o’ Dee. Masson acknowledged the difficulties ahead, stating, “Formartine will be difficult to play against; they’re well-structured and good at what they do.”

The upcoming final promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams seek to carve their names into the history of the Aberdeenshire Cup. For Formartine, it represents a chance to return to glory after years without silverware, while Aberdeen aims to end a lengthy drought and reinstate their dominance in the tournament.