6th A Thursday friendly game at Logie Park, Forres against Forres Thistle. It was a cloudy, damp evening for our second pre-season game on a pitch that was rock hard. The squad on duty for ‘The Strathy Jags’ was James Kendall (GK), Owen Patterson, Caelan Mutch, Cairn Giles, Liam Grant, Iain Ross, Jack Mackay, Ross Logan, James McShane, Michael McKenzie, Seamus McGonaghy, and substitutes Charlie Fonweban, Scott Stewart and Jack Gilliland.
In a competitive game we came out on top 4-2 with goals from McGonaghy, McShane and a brace from Ross Logan. Referee was Alan Proctor.
8th The Club’s biggest fund raiser of the year was the annual ‘Golf Day’ held at Grantown Golf Club. The weather was sunny and warm throughout the tournament which welcomed 42 teams.
Thanks to the Golf Club for use of the course and to everyone who took part in what was a very good day. Many thanks to our sponsor MTECH for supporting the day.
12th Our first visit up the A9 to play Alness United from the North Caledonian league at their newly built 4G pitch which is part of the Alness Academy. We were lucky with the weather as it turned out a fine and warm evening.
The squad on duty was James Kendal (GK), Owen Patterson, Caelan Mutch, William Urqhart, Taylor Sutherland, Jack Mackay, Iain Ross, Ross Logan, Jack Davison, Michael McKenzie, James McShane and substitutes Joe Cuthbert, Jack Gilliland and Seamus McGonaghy.’ The Strathy Jags’ finished comfortable winner’s by 9-2 (Ht 6-0) with goals from Jack Davison 4, Iain Ross 2, Michael McKenzie 2 and Owen Patterson. An enjoyable visit to a very fine community asset. Referee was David Alexander.
15th Game number 4 of our pre-season campaign and this time we welcomed to Seafield Park from the East of Scotland league Jeanfield Swifts. The squad on duty was Benn Bremner (GK), Owen Patterson, Caelan Mutch, Taylor Sutherland, Jack Mackay, Ross Logan, Jack Davison, Michael McKenzie, James McShane, William Urquhart, James McLaren and substitutes Xavio Vastano (GK), Iain Ross, Joe Cuthbert, Cairn Giles, Seamus McGonaghy and Jack Gilliland.
The weather forecast for the game was pretty awful but somehow we avoided the thunderstorms and rain but you could certainly hear the former. In an end to end contest the Swifts won the day 4-3 in what was for both sides a very good workout. For ‘The Strathy Jags’ James McLaren bagged a pair with James McShane the other. You will notice we welcomed two triallist Goalkeepers, Benn Bremner and Xavio Vastano. Benn played the opening half and Xavio the second 45 minutes. Referee was Gordon Seago.
19th A visit to Seafield Park from Inverness Caledonian Thistle under 18 team. The squad on duty was James Kendall (GK) Owen Patterson, Caelan Mutch, Taylor Sutherland, Jack Mackay, Iain Ross, Ross Logan, Jack Davison, Cairn Giles, Seamus McGonaghy, Jack Gilliland with substitutes Liam Grant and Joe Cuthbert. A pleasant Summer evening gave us another very competitive game which was played in a decent spirit and well refereed by David Alexander. ICT took the lead on 28 minutes and it wasn’t until minutes 88 and 90 that the Jags secured victory thanks to Owen Patterson and Ross Logan goals.
22nd Last pre-season game was a visit to play New Elgin JFC. A sunny and warm afternoon awaited the squad which was as follows. Benn Bremner (GK), Owen Patterson, Caelan Mutch, Taylor Sutherland, Jack Mackay, Iain Ross, Ross Logan, Jack Davison, Joe Cuthbert, William Urquhart, James Maclaren with substitutes Seamus McGonaghy, Jack Gilliland and a welcome return to the squad for Alan Kerr. The opening twenty minutes were overshadowed by a superb display from the Red Arrows who were visiting nearby RAF Lossiemouth. Against a backdrop of blue skies it was superb. The game resulted in a 5-1 win for ‘The Strathy Jags’ with goals from Iain Ross 2, Ross Logan, Jack Mackay and Taylor Sutherland. The countdown now starts for our opening Breedon Highland League fixture at Mosset Park, Forres on Saturday July 29th.
29th A warm and sunny afternoon in Forres ended in disappointment. After a good first half which saw the team take the lead on three minutes through Iain Ross and create other scoring chances it was the old failing of a defensive mistake that let the’ Can-Cans’ back into the game through their new signing Dylan Lawrence. Going in all square at half-time was pleasing especially the way the team had played. It is always a game of two halves and this one was no different. As Team Manager Robert MacCormack said after the game “We didn’t come out in the second half” which was very disappointing. We have a week to prepare for our first long journey of the season to North Lodge Park, Pitmedden to take on Formartine United FC.