Saturday 1st: A goal seven minutes into stoppage time denied the Jags a home win against Clachnacuddin, the visitors finally taking advantage of playing against ten men after Connor Austin’s controversial red card.
The two sides had traded first-half goals before the Jags took an early second-half lead through Ross Logan’s header.
Manager Robert MacCormack told the Press & Journal that the sending-off had changed the game but added; “to take a draw from a very good side is encouraging.”
Saturday 8th: Another Saturday and more stoppage time pain for the Jags after a resolute display, including a penalty-save from Man of the Match James Kendall (photo shows him receiving a bottle of Cairngorm Gin from, another of our sponsors, Alan Carson of MKM Building Supplies), had kept league leaders Buckie Thistle at bay for 90 minutes.
The Jags were left distraught by two goals that kept the visitors on course for the title but could take heart from another good performance.
Wednesday 12thOur last home fixture of the season and another competitive performance by the team but we went down to defeat when Keith scored on 71 minutes. It meant that The Jags have gone the whole season without a home victory. We thank everyone who have supported the club at matches, by playing the lottery or via other means. We have started planning for next season and we will keep everyone updated on any developments.
Saturday 15thToday off to Aberdeen to play Banks O Dee at Spain Park in our first visit for a Highland League game. Over ten years ago we had played there in cup competitions. The pitch is 4G and the ground is very compact. Their hospitality was sold out with 80 covers. We were three players down due to injury and call offs and the numbers were not helped when we lost keeper James Kendall due to an injury sustained in the warm up. Ironically at about the same time Banks O Dee lost their keeper with an injury during the warm up.
We started the game with one substitute and to complete our day we went down 9-1. Michael MacKenzie was our goalscorer on 41 minutes to bring the game back to 3-1 but with the final kick of the first half we conceded again. A poor team performance and a long bus ride home.
Friday 21stThe club announced that 21-year-old defender Liam Grant had signed a contract extension for next season. He is a local lad and has played in the Strathspey and Badenoch Welfare league for Grantown United, Spey Valley United and Boat of Garten Ospreys.
Saturday 22nd Last game of the season and another bus trip this time to last season’s Champions Fraserburgh. The Broch came from behind and ran out winners 3-1 which I think flattered them. The Jags took the lead on 36 minutes with a superb strike from 20 yards by Michael MacKenzie and went in at half time one ahead. Fraserburgh hit back with goals from Sean Butcher and Josh Bolton and on 89 minutes the clincher with a header from Bryan Hay. An encouraging performance from The Jags. It was a good bus ride back to Grantown and Inverness. Manager Robert MacCormack thought the players worked their socks off and it is now a question of preparing for season 2023/2024.
Congratulations to Brechin City who became Breedon Highland League Champions with a win at Victoria Park, Buckie in a last day winner takes all shootout. Congratulations to both teams for providing such an enthralling race from the start of the season.
Brechin now play Lowland League Champions Spartans home and away with the winner then playing the bottom side in SPFL League Two over two legs.
Saturday 29th The first leg of the playoff was at Ainslie Park, Edinburgh and in a scrappy encounter The Spartans came out on top thanks to a Blair Henderson 90th minute goal which sets up the second leg nicely.
Saturday May 6th Biggest attendance at Glebe Park of 1900 saw an enthralling game go to penalties with The Spartans coming out on top 4-3 on penalties and going forward to play Albion Rovers over two legs. Brechin’s goals came from Macleod on 45, Inglis 61 and Biabi on 65 with replies from Whyte 15 and Henderson 55 for The Spartans. Albion Rovers by finishing bottom of Scottish League 2 will now play home and away with The Spartans over the next two Saturday’s. Albion Rovers play at the Cliftonhill stadium in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.
