5thA visit from Brora Rangers is always a tough challenge but nothing could prepare you for the scale of defeat this evening. 11-0 was the score which represented the club’s worst home defeat in the Breedon Highland Football League. Just to compound the misery of defeat our worst away show was a loss by a similar score line at Dudgeon Park, Brora, back in 2014.
8thWhile still trying to get our heads around the scale of Wednesday’s defeat (although our ever-willing volunteers, shown above, were working on the Seafield Park pitch the morning after) it was a visit to Kynoch Park, Keith that was next on the agenda. A goal down in four minutes was not the best of starts and Keith ran out 6-1 winners. Kieran Mooney led the way for the Maroons with their first hat trick in three years. Aiden Cruickshank, making his first start for The Jags, scored our consolation goal.
15thAgain another disappointing start to this important game against Turriff United when we conceded an early goal, this time on seven minutes from the penalty spot, which left the team with a mountain to climb. It became 2-0 before Owen Loveland seized on a defensive mistake to put The Jags back into the game. Liam Taylor nearly put us back on level terms but his shot just went just wide. It was 3-1 at half time.
The second period was a struggle for the home side and Turriiff United ran out worthy winners 6-1 with a brace from their new signing, Max Foster who has recently returned from playing for Dubai City. Thoughts now turn to next Saturday’s visit to Station Park Nairn for yet another six-pointer.
21stTeam Manager Charlie Brown announced that striker Ben Cullen was in the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Nairn. Ben has recovered from the nasty facial injury sustained during the drawn game with Deveronvale on August 6.
22ndBen duly started the game and although it was an improved team performance, defensive lapses were again our undoing. 2-0 down at half-time and 4 down on 63 minutes this time heads didn’t go down. Two goals in a minute from Aiden Cruikshank, one a penalty, gave the Jags renewed hope. We hit the post and then had a decent hand ball shout turned down and finished the game very much on the front foot. If only we can cut out the mistakes!!
23rdThe draw was made for the third round of the Scottish Cup and congratulations to the three remaining SHFL teams who are through. Formartine play Stenhousemuir, Falkirk travel to Wick and Fraserburgh host Arbroath. The ties to be played over the weekend of November 26. We wish them well.
28thThe Scottish Highland Football League announced the Banks O’Dee had been deducted 24 points and fined £500.00. for fielding an unregistered player. This is their first season in the SHFL and they were going well in the top six . They are now bottom on minus one.
29thSeafield Park hosted Lossiemouth FC in the preliminary round of the Highland League Cup sponsored by GPH Builders Merchants. Again the Jags were two down in next to no time, so it was another mountain to climb. Aiden Cruickshank pulled a goal back direct from a corner and for a period we played well and were close to equalising but again poor defending gave Lossie a third goal before half-time. The second forty-five was one of the team’s better halves this season and with Ben Cullen making it 2-3 on seventy-five minutes hopes were raised that we could force the game into penalties although it was not to be and Lossie hung on for the win that takes them to the next round and a tie with Nairn County. For only the third time this season the Jags didn’t concede a goal in 45 minutes of football. The other two halves were against Huntly and Wick.
UPCOMING FIXTURES. November 2 @ Lossiemouth. November 6 home Banks o Dee. November 19 home to Formartine. November 26 @ Deveronvale.
Check out the Breedon Highland League website and also strathspeythistlefc@highlandleague.com for details of how to join our weekly online lottery. /