We look forward to greeting our friends from Nairn on Saturday afternoon for our Breedon Highland League match against Nairn County FC. As it’s just down the road to the sea there’s a slight feel of a local derby so the games are always hard won – and as Nairn are one point ahead of us in the league it should be a fun afternoon. The kick off is 3pm as usual and catering facilities should be available from 2.15 onwards.
Pitchfixers L to R – Donly McLeod, Murray Adam, Graeme Stuart and Ian A Anderson
Following our home game on Wednesday night – a three- nil loss to Formartine – it meant that ground repairs – “pitch fix” – had to be carried out – normally there is a two week gap between home games but this week is was two days!! So the members of the committee available on Thursday morning were at the park repairing! The photo shows chairman, Donly McLeod with committee members Graeme Stuart and Ian A Anderson – and helping us out this week was Jags superfan and friend, Murray Adams – and if there is anyone else who would like to give us a hand, whenever you can spare two or three hours we would be very grateful for your help…we are usually there from about 9.30 am on a Monday morning….just ask any of the committee at a home game how you can help…every little helps…..
>>>>AAAnd of course the lottery jackpot has still not been won – £5,200 this week – so please sign up and help the Jags.>>>>>>>
Tonight, after our less than successful trip up the A9 last Saturday to Brora, we welcome Formartine FC to Seafield Park for our re-scheduled Breedon Highland League match.
Craig Mackenzie, scorer at the weekend.
Formartine, who currently sit in seventh place in the league, will prove to be formidable opponents and we can expect a tough match. We hope that Formartine’s supporters are entertained, but not too much…. and we thank them for making the journey on a Wednesday night. The game kicks off at 8pm.
Tonights’ game is the first of a home double header this week, as we entertain Nairn County FC on Saturday afternoon – kick off 3pm. Nairn County have usually a good travelling support and we welcome them to what promises to be an exciting game of football – the ubiquitous six-pointer – as Nairn, as I write this, are a point ahead of us in the league.
Well you couldn’t get any better entertainment …..a big thank you to all who braved the weather last night but if you’re a Jags fan you’ll think it was worth it!!!
The lull before the storm….
We welcomed Fort William FC to Seafield Park for a Breedon Highland League game in what the press billed as a bottom of the table clash..a real six-pointer!
The Jags team lines showed all of the recognised first team choices were back in the squad as well as a new face in defence – an on-loan signing from Rothes, Ewan Neil, who was starting for the first time. Also from Rothes another on-loan signing, Kane Davies, was on the bench – both are signed until the end of the season. Welcome to The Jags gents!
Just before kick off the rain started and it poured all through the game …..dampening the spirits of the home fans as they saw the Jags two behind after only twenty five minutes or so….one very good header from a corner and a debatable (in the eyes of the home fans) penalty – fortunately we got a goal back just on half time but the Jags had been the better team and could have been better off with sharper finishing – as well as being thwarted by some fine goalkeeping by the Fort keeper Ryan Hunter. Manager Charlie Brown and assistant manager Jamie McGowan went into half time confident that the tables would turn in the second half….and they were right..
More or less straight away the Jags were awarded a penalty and Andrew Skinner hit the bar. There was a collective sigh across the ground as the home fans wondered if it was going to be one of these nights…but a few minutes later we were level.
You can read all about it in the Press and Journal’s Paul Chalk’s coverage of the game …click here.
At the end of the match all Jags fans were soaked but very happy…a 7 – 3 victory – history had been made. That is the first time since we entered the Highland League we have scored seven goals. Hopefully that’ll give the team a lot of confidence for the next few games starting at Brora on Saturday.
David Painter (left) and Steve Ryszka
We welcomed David Painter and his mate Steve Ryszka from Sheffield – David is a great football fan who supports York City and Steve is a steam train enthusiast . They thoroughly enjoyed the game ..and the pies!
Leo Hoenig from London
Also enjoying the game was Leo Hoenig from London who is on a weeks long bus and train expedition following the lower leagues in Scotland – Friday night he watched Edinburgh City’s home game in Edinburgh following that with a couple more games on Saturday, one on Sunday and Monday and finally finishing at Seafield Park on Wednesday night – thanks gents for making the effort to visit us.
In attendance also was Joel Sked one of the four presenters of BBC Scotland’s “ A View From The Terrace” – and on his twitter page he said “ A great night’s entertainment. Defensive mistakes, some great goals, comeback, missed penalty, big performance from the Fort William keeper and ten goals as @JagsStfc win 7-3 “ It looks like you enjoyed yourself – hopefully you’ll be back someday to Seafield Park – also thanks for coming.
And now, on to Saturday …we travel to Dudgeon Park, Brora (KW9 6QN) for our next Breedon Highland League game so good luck to the boys.
Remember to try your luck on our online lottery – jackpot this week is £5,100.00.
Remember, also the next home game is next Wednesday night 13 October versus Formartine FC – kick off as ever is 8pm.
September 4 The long journey to Banff to play Deveronvale was made to seem even longer when The Jags were 3-0 down at half-time. An improved performance in the second half restored some pride. Planning has started for the Scottish FA Cup tie at Nairn County on Saturday September 18 and both clubs are hoping for a decent attendance.
September 11 Seafield Park was the venue for the second game in ten days against Rothes FC but this time it was a Breedon Highland League encounter. Rothes were justifiably two up at half time but not long after the break The Jags scored a great goal. An exquisite pass from James Fraser put James McShane through on goal and he rifled the ball past the Rothes keeper to make it game on at 2-1. It gave the home fans a bit of a lift, but unfortunately the visitors added to their lead soon after and completed their afternoon with a last minute goal to make the score 4-1.
James McShane scored our goal against Rothes.
September 18 A beautiful Autumnal day at the coast, Scottish Cup was back and we were visiting our near neighbours Nairn County. The competition always brings with it an excitement that is difficult to explain. The financial side is very important to all clubs and the publicity a club gets as it progresses through the rounds money cannot buy. Alas for The Jags this was another poor day at the office and Nairn County ran out worthy winners by 4-0. Thanks as always to everyone at Station Road who make you so welcome.
September 25 Another sunny and warm day for the long trip to Fraserburgh. As they always do they made us very welcome in what is a very professional and progressive club. The hospitality stopped once the game was underway and The Jags were well beaten 7-0. After the reasonable start to the season with good performances at Huntly, Clachnacuddin and the first half at Forres and the loss of form points to maybe the game at Turriff when we lost a three goal lead in the last twenty minutes. Injuries and Covid have played their part but that applies to all clubs. Charlie and Jamie as we don’t have a game on October 2 have ten full days to prepare the side for the most important game of our season so far – at home to Fort William on October 6 – The proverbial ‘six pointer’
September 29 In preparing for their visit to Seafield Park next week Fort William came from behind at Station Park Nairn to claim their first Highland League point of the season in a 3-3 game. Calum MacLean had recently been installed as Fort William’s interim manager following the resignation of Ashley Hollyer and his management team.
September 30 The Highland League announced that the league cup will be sponsored for the next two years by GPH Builders Merchants. The Company have branches in Stonehaven, Ellon and Westhill. This season’s competition begins on October 30. Rothes are the current cup holders after winning last season for the first time in their history. The draw for the preliminary and first round will take place on October 1.
STOP PRESS : In the Highland league cup first round The Jags have been drawn away at Clachnacuddin who we played in the North of Scotland cup earlier in the season.
LOTTERY 5000 The Lottery reaches another marker this week as the jackpot is now £5,000 so if you wish to play – click on the Lottery button over there! >>>>>>
PLEASE NOTE FOR LOGISTICAL REASONS THE NEXT DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY 4 OCTOBER IN THE CLAYMORE AT 7PM. IF YOU ARE GOING TO PLAY NEXT WEEK’S LOTTERY ONLINE – ( SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER ) PLEASE LEAVE TILL TUESDAY OR AFTER – AS THE MACHINATIONS OF THE ONLINE DRAW HAS BEEN ADJUSTED BY CLUBFORCE TO MONDAY – SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.
WE WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL WITH NEXT SUNDAY’S DRAW.
Greeeeeet…ings sportsfans
Well, last week’s trip to Fraserburgh wasn’t very successful I’m afraid, but onwards and upwards….we have no game today (Saturday 2 October) as Formartine FC, who we were supposed to play, were in the Aberdeenshire Cup Final against Banks O’Dee FC last night – unfortunately they got beaten 4-1 and Banks O’Dee are the first non Highland League team or a team representing Aberdeen FC to win the trophy since the1920/1921 season. Congratulations to them. We were delighted to see that veteran P&J reporter Dave Edwards was presented with a silver salver at the game to recognise his life’s work in reporting the fitba’.
All at Strathspey Thistle have been really frustrated over the past few weeks with CoVid isolation requirements and a glut of injuries which has hampered any of the consistency of the good pre-season and league start we had but we should have near enough a full squad fit and ready for our next game which is next Wednesday 6 October at Seafield Park under the floodlights for a Breedon Highland League game against Fort William FC – 8pm kick off. Everyone at The Jags are remaining optimistic and hopefully a victory on Wednesday will kick start the machine again!
Thankfully CoVid rules are not now so stringent at matches – but still be aware and stay safe
Our Breedon Highland League match against Formartine FC has been re-arranged for Wednesday week – 13 October – at Seafield Park with an 8pm kick off.
Also another date for the diary is that we’ve been drawn to play Inverness Clachnacuddin in the North of Scotland League Cup. The match will take place on Saturday 13 November at Grant Street Park, Inverness – 3pm Kick Off.
Well it’s another away trip on Saturday this time to Bellslea Park (AB43 9BB) in Fraserburgh for our Breedon Highland League match.
The ‘Broch are sitting at the top of the table, unbeaten in the league this season winning eight games and drawing one, scoring thirty one goals in the process and conceding just eight.
Manager Charlie Brown says in this weeks Strathy, that it’ll be a tough trip as we are still not at full strength player wise, but we are continuing to work hard and are hoping things will change for the better and we can get the right result.
Manager, Charlie Brown
It’s a 3pm kick off and we wish Charlie and the boys all the best.
LOTTERY
Our lottery, which is drawn every Sunday night, is edging ever closer to a £5,000.00 jackpot so if you are not able to get to Grantown and buy your tickets please go online and sign up – and please ask your friends and family to have a go as well…just click on the Lottery panel >>>>> Thanks very much.
It’s that time of the year again when the Road to Hampden for the final in May next year begins. We visit Station Park, Nairn IV12 5NQ on Saturday 18 September for a 3pm kick off, in what looks likely to be a cracker of a football match. Both teams have had an up and down start to the season so it looks as though it will be a very tight game – we obviously hope the boys get through and we’re still in the hat for the next round draw.
The Jags Lottery jackpot stands at £4800.00 this week so if you want to play just click on the Lottery logo >>>>>>>>>> Thank you and good luck.
Action from the last league game against Rothes at Seafield Park in September 2019
Greeee…tings……
We welcome back Rothes FC to Seafield Park for the second time in two weeks. As ever they will be bringing a great support with them, and we hope they enjoy their afternoon in Grantown – we also hope to turn the tables on them this time. Encouraged by some of the results in the Breedon Highland League already this year by all teams, we’re sure it’ll be a hard fought match for the three points.
Rothes had a very good 4-1 win against us in the North of Scotland Cup semi-final here last week and we wish them luck for the final in October. Everything should be back some sort of pre-CoVid normality on Saturday but again we urge all supporters attending to stay safe.
August 3….A friendly bounce game this evening at Seafield Park against an under 20 side from Inverness Caley Thistle. The team gave a good account of themselves before going down 4-3. Our goals were from Kieran Chalmers, Jordan Wardrope and trialist Chris Innes. The only downside was that a couple of injuries were picked up.
August 7 On a warm and sunny afternoon in Forres the Jags went down 4-2 which was a disappointing defeat. A lead on six minutes through Kieran Chalmers gave us a decent start and we continued to create clear chances although Kieran came off due to injury mid way through the first half. Half time it was 1-1 but the second half went to Forres who ran out winners by 4-2. Our second goal came from Kris Duncan.
August 9 Surprising news from the Highland League came with the resignation of Steven Mckay of Brora Rangers after their 6-2 defeat at Fraserburgh after being 2-0 up at Bellsea. The 10-0 defeat of Keith at Buckie Thistle resulted in joint managers Andy Roddie and Tommy Wilson standing down. Ethan Cairns, a forward with Inverness Caley Thistle, would be joining us on loan until January 2 2022.
August 13 Friday night football returned to Grant Street Park, Inverness when we visited Clachnacuddin. A warm summer evening produced a game of two halves. The Jags played well in the first 45 minutes and deservedly led at half-time through a very good goal from Kris Duncan which was created by Jake Thomson. Little did we expect what would happen in the second half but Clach put four passed us and it was a shell-shocked set of players, management and supporters who made their way home. The team have to pick themselves up as we return to Clachnacuddin on Wednesday August 18 in the North of Scotland Cup.
Ethan Cairns, James Fraser and Chris Innes.
August 18 The club confirmed the signing until June 30 2022 of midfielder James Fraser and defender Chris Innes. Tonight a visit again to Clachnacuddin this time in the North of Scotland Cup for a place in the semi final and what an outcome. With the best performance of the season so far we celebrated a 4-0 win thanks to first half goals from Cameron Lisle, Kris Duncan and James McShane and in the second half a late penalty from Andrew Skinner. Rothes FC at home await us for a place in the final. It was a really good night for everyone connected with the Jags.
Goalmouth action featuring Kris Duncan v Lossiemouth
August 21 The team form continues to impress with another good home performance against Lossiemouth on what was the Press and Journal’s selection as their weekly ‘Big Match’. We were deserved winners by 3-1 with goals from Jake Thomson and a brace from Craig MacKenzie. It was our first league win of the season and took us up to tenth place after five games.
Craig’s second goal, The Jag’s third v Lossiemouth.
August 25 A long mid-week journey to Turriff saw the team 3-0 up with twenty minutes to go in damp and rainy conditions only to be pegged back by a Turriff fightback. The Jags goals came via two penalties converted by Andrew Skinner and James McShane.
August 28 A fine sunny and warm day at Seafield Park greeted both teams before a decent attendance in what was a keenly fought contest. Keith ran out 2-0 winners with goals in each half. It was a disappointing end to a difficult week. We are all looking forward to the North of Scotland Cup semi-final on Wednesday at home to Rothes. The winners will play either Brora Rangers or Lossiemouth in the final.
August 30 News story from our main sponsors McGowans featuring the Jags home and away shirts used by their team in the weekend’s Loch Ness Beast Race
Stop Press…The result of Wednesday evening’s semi-final was a 4-1 defeat. It wasn’t our night……….
Unfortunately, the game against Keith FC at home last Saturday was again a wee disappointing….. a bit black and white …..but onwards and upwards.
Recent game v Forres…
We have two games this week – a North of Scotland Cup Semi-Final against Rothes FC at Seafield Park and a Breedon Highland League encounter with Deveronvale at the Princess Royal Park in Banff.
Tomorrow nights game against Rothes FC ( Wednesday 1st Sept) promises to be a tough one for Charlie and the boys with a place in the North of Scotland Cup final in October for the winner. We would like to offer a very warm welcome to the players and management of Rothes who also usually bring a large and vociferous following which always makes the atmosphere, especially under the floodlights, something to savour. The game will be decided tomorrow night as there will be penalties if the teams are level after ninety minutes. The game kicks off at 8pm and there will be catering available from 7.30pm. Enjoy the game and stay safe.
The game in Banff against Deveronvale kicks off at the usual Saturday afternoon time of 3pm in the regal surroundings of the Princess Royal Park (56 Airlie Gardens, Banff AB45 1AZ). Let’s hope we can add another three points to our league tally. Enjoy the game and stay safe.
All the best to Charlie and the team for this week.
This year seems to have flown by, especially, when on Sunday just before our own Lottery draw, there was the draw at the Scottish Football Association for the first round of the Scottish Cup. Perhaps setting our sights on a final at Hampden may be a bit far fetched but we can dream. Firstly, we have to overcome Nairn County FC when we visit Station Park, Nairn on the Saturday 18 September – there’s always a great buzz around the grounds at the start of the Scottish Cup…where is the destiny this year to be….
The full draw made by Scotland’s Rugbyy Coach Gregor Townsend can be viewed here ;
Remember to spread the word to friends and family, far and wide to try the online lottery -the jackpot this week is £4600.00. Click on the lottery on top of right column >>>>>>
