Our game today at Seafield Park in the Breedon Highland League against Wick Academy has been postponed. This is due to a very serious road accident on the A9 between Golspie and Brora and unfortunately the road is blocked in both directions – the accident does not involve the Wick team bus but has prevented it from making the journey to Grantown.
AT THE HOP
HOME GAME v WICK ACADEMY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 – KO 3pm
This Saturday we welcome Wick Academy FC – players, management and supporters – to Seafield Park for a Breedon Highland League match, kick off is 3pm.
Wick, who currently are in fourteenth position in the league with four points, will want to make the best of the long journey south but The Jags will be doing their utmost to prevent the Scorries from earning any points and will be hoping a return to the form of a couple of weeks ago will confirm that.
Hopefully returning from injury, will be Iain Ross, Ross Logan and defender Taylor Sutherland. Keeper Steven Martin may have recovered as well from his knock received in last week’s cup tie in Galashiels – however captain James McShane remains doubtful after playing one half in Galashiels.
If any of our friends from Wick want to know a wee bit more about what’s available in Grantown please click here…
IMPORTANT CHANGE OF DATE
We were supposed to host Lossiemouth in a Breedon Highland League match this Wednesday night ( 4th October) under the floodlights but both clubs have preferred a Saturday fixture so, as we are both no longer in the Scottish Cup, the Lossie game will now be played on Saturday 28 October – KO 3pm.
FUND RAISING DANCE SOLD OUT
Guitarist/vocalist Iain Brooks, legend of many a Welfare, Junior and Highland League campaign, will be fronting the beat combo K and The Pupils at Saturday night’s Jags fundraising gig at the Legion in Grantown. They are one of the North’s most exciting new bands and have been playing to rave notices over the past year……tickets were like gold dust …hope you managed to get yours….it should be a cracker of a night.
STFC would like to thank the band and The Legion staff helping to raise funds for the Club.
SCOTTISH CUP EXIT
Well, the 350 mile round trip to Galashiels was dotted with highlights and unfortunately deep troughs…..
Setting off, hats at a jaunty angle, the bus stopped at A Taste of Perthshire in Bankfoot , where we were treated as kings – our thanks go to them.
The bus then continued to Galashiels and although the weather greeting us on our arrival was misty and murky, the welcome the committee and players received was very warm indeed and much appreciated.
In fact John Collins, mentioned in last weeks post, joined his brother who is involved with Gala, in being part of the Gala Fairydean Rovers welcoming committee in looking after us.
Gifts were exchanged and the match commenced : and, according to the Jags fans and committee present, they reckoned it was the best twenty minutes we have played for a long, long time and were two up with goals from Kane Davies in the fifteenth minute and Mike Mackenzie in the twentieth. We also missed a couple of very good chances during this period too…..
However the deep trough began to open five minutes later when Gala scored, and scored…and scored…finishing the match the winners by 8-2…..the whole outcome was a complete mystery to both Jags supporters and management.
It was a long and winding road home – the Scottish Cup over for another year.
JAGS STAFFORDSHIRE SUPPORTERS CLUB
On 25/9/23, committee member Graeme Stuart had a pleasant encounter in Grantown with this trio of visiting Jags supporters. They remembered him from a match at Seafield Park which they thoroughly enjoyed, so much so that there is now a colony of supporters in Staffordshire!
In the picture, Paul and Andy proudly show off their tattoos of the STFC club crest. We thank them for their support and very much look forward to their next visit to Seafield Park.
DIARY DATES – 2PM KICK OFFS AT SEAFIELD PARK OVER THE WINTER MONTHS
Please note that the following home games in November, December, January, February and March will have 2pm kick-offs.
Deveronvale 11/11, Turriff 25/11, Forres 9/12, Brora 30/12, Nairn 13/01, Brechin 27/01, Inverurie Locos 17/02 and Keith 9/03.
There may be another but Jags social media will keep you informed.
It would probably be an idea to check kick-off times for our away matches too as I am sure other teams in the League will be bringing their kick-offs forward too.
LOTTERY
As is our usual signing off for this week, we offer you a chance to win the jackpot of £2600 in our weekly fundraising Lottery…click here for details of how to play.
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK – I’M OFF TO FIND MY DANCING SHOES……..
ON THE BORDER
AWAY MATCH v GALAFAIRYDEAN ROVERS
SCOTTISH GAS SCOTTISH CUP ROUND 1
NETHERDALE, GALASHIELS, TD1 3HE
SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2023 – KO 3pm
We started last week’s post with the statement that Brechin was one of our longest trips of the season – but that pales into insignificance – this week is a whopping 350 mile round trip to Galashiels and a meeting in the Scottish Cup at Netherdale against Gala Fairydean Rovers.
As the above photograph of Sir Walter Scott’s View, the Scottish Borders is a beautiful part of Scotland and Galashiels is possibly more famous as a rugby town. It is the birthplace of current Scotland Rugby coach Gregor Townsend but is also the birthplace of John Collins the former Hibs manager, who as well being capped for Scotland at football over fifty times, and played for teams such as Hibs, Celtic, AS Monaco and Everton.
Gala Fairydean FC, are a team that had an illustrious history winning many trophies since their foundation in 1894, and merged with Gala Rovers in 2013 gaining admittance to the newly formed Lowland Football League as Gala Faiydean Rovers.
The stand at Netherdale was designed by the renowned architect Peter Wormersley built in the “Brutalist Style” It is a Category A listed building and was opened in 1965.
Robert and the team are very much looking forward to the day and revelling in the excitement that is the Scottish Cup. We wish them all the best in what is a step into the unknown, hopefully not “brutal” but a right good enjoyable game of football – and there will be no replay – extra time and penalties will decide the outcome – and as we always say you never know what is going to happen in a football match….hopefully a home tie in the second round.
KANE DAVIES
A couple of days before the Brechin game we re-signed local lad Kane Davies from Forres Mechanics
Manager Robert had this to say about our latest acquisition.
“I’m delighted to manage to bring Kane back to the club after a lot of interest in him. Another local player that will come in and make the squad stronger which is exactly what we are looking to do. We want the best local players here and he is certainly one of them”
“He’s an experienced Highland League player and will bring that much needed experience to the squad. I’m looking forward to working with Kane and I’m confident he will be a great signing for us.”
BRECHIN LAST WEEK
Unfortunately it was a tough afternoon in the Brechin sunshine last Saturday. We were missing through injury, captain James McShane, Ross Logan and Liam Grant plus one or two others who were unable to make it to Brechin – hopefully there will be a larger squad available to manager Rob in Galashiels.
We were four down to the current league title holders by the interval but a great response in the second half saw us back in the game which finished 5-0.
We have now played six of the top eleven teams – five away from home and we commence a home “heavy’ list of fixtures over the next few weeks.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Our home games commence on the 30 Sept with a visit from Wick Academy followed four days later (Oct 4) by Lossiemouth – we then travel to Inverurie on the Saturday followed by a visit from Rothes (Wed 11 Oct) – there is no game on Saturday 12 Oct – and we are back in action with another home game against Buckie Thistle on Sat 21 Oct.
………AND DON’T FORGET OUR FUNDRAISING DANCE
A week Saturday, (30 Sept), K and the Pupils plus guests will be rockin’ the Legion’s foundations in Grantown. Music starts about 9pm and tickets are selling like hot cakes so contact The Legion in Grantown to get yours – cost is £10 each – The Legion are operating a cash only ticket sale.
We look forward to seeing you there – hopefully after our first home win of the season and three points bagged in the league……
LOTTERY
As is the usual custom we end with offering you a winning jackpot of £2500 from our online fundraising lottery – play here for a chance to win….thanks very much….
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK WHEN IT’S BACK TO LEAGUE BUSINESS AND WE’RE AT HOME TO WICK ACADEMY FC
BRECHIN’ UP IS HARD TO DO
AWAY MATCH v BRECHIN CITY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
GLEBE PARK, TRINITY ROAD, BRECHIN
SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER – KO 3pm
Well ….we’re back on the road and this week is one of our longest journeys of the year – eighty two miles over hill and dale arriving at Brechin in rural Angus.
And……at the end of the road our Breedon Highland League match with last years champions – Brechin City. In our first visit a couple of years ago we managed to breach Brechin’s defence three times, which was more than any club did that season…but we unfortunately lost the match 7-3…
Of course, Glebe Park is the only senior football ground in Europe which has a hedge along one of its perimeters, hence the club’s nickname The Hedgemen.
Currently sitting in third place in the league and with a game in hand, we are expecting a very difficult match but it would be great this season to score three again, and keeping a clean sheet into the bargain….you never know in football.
GPH BUILDER’S MERCHANTS HIGHLAND LEAGUE CUP
ROUND 2
Last Saturday we hosted Fraserburgh FC in round 2 of the GPH Builder’s Merchants Highland League Cup and although we lost 3-1 the home crowd were happy with some really good play and and a lot of effort from the Jags.
We started well and held our own through out the first half even though losing a goal in the twentieth minute but the main concern was that defender and captain James McShane had to leave the field with an ankle injury – however Jack McKay moved from the midfield to cover. Jack had a very good half but unfortunately was caught out in fifty seven minutes and from the resultant penalty Fraserburgh doubled their lead. Fraserburgh scored again a couple of minutes later, but Daniel Whitehorn headed home a great goal for the Jags in the seventy third minute and there was some fraught moments in both goalmouths with The Jags hitting the bar in the latter stages.
Unfortunately winger Ross Logan suffered a nasty foot injury which will hopefully not keep him out of action for too long.
A good game of football which was enjoyed by a good crowd and we wish Fraserburgh all the best in the next round.
MKM DUGOUTS
The photo below shows the MKM team attending the cup game against Fraserburgh at Seafield Park and taking the time to inspect the new livery in the dugouts.
pictured LtoR : are MKM’s Marty Wares and Steve McRitchie, Strathspey Thistle chairman Donly McLeod and MKM’s Alan Carson
HOSPITALITY AND MOTM
The above photograph shows our friends from the Dulnain Bridge Garage enjoying Jags hospitality- we thank them very much for their support and hope they enjoyed their day with us – they also were tasked with the job of choosing the Jags Man of the Match and their choice of Liam Grant was met with universal agreement.
Liam, centre, is pictured with Connor and Duncan Clark.
TEAM PHOTO
Just before the Fraserburgh game we were, at last, able to arrange this year’s first team squad official team photograph – unfortunately not pictured were Steve Martin, Jude Fraser, Taylor Sutherland, Cairn Gilles and first team coach Robbie Flett, perhaps we may be able to a re-run when everyone is available ……
LOTTERY
As ever we conclude this weeks meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £2400 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…
ON THE BORDER
We’ll be back next week with all the happenings before our trip to Galashiels for our Scottish Cup first round time with Gala Fairydean Rovers.
CHAMPION THE UNDERDOG
HOME MATCH v FRASERBURGH FC
GPH BUILDER’S MERCHANTS HIGHLAND LEAGUE CUP – ROUND 2
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2023 – KO 3pm
After our heroics at Lossiemouth a couple of weeks ago our reward is a home tie against Fraserburgh FC.
There wasn’t much for the Jags to write home about after Fraserburgh’s visit last season, so the less said about that the better – but a far better performance in Fraserburgh nearer the end of the season helped heal the wounds – slightly.
Hoping to carry on our cup form as we obviously expect an exceptionally tough match and it will continue next week when we are away to Brechin City, last year’s league champions – but you never know in football….
For any Broch supporters attending Seafield Park for the first time, or you want some information about the town, click here….and we hope you enjoy your visit…but not too much….
TWO MATCHES
Last week was a busy one for the Rob and the boys with a mid-week game in Forres with the next one just along the road in Nairn on the Saturday.
I congratulate all the players who were on the pitch during some horrendous downpours on Wednesday – it was tough!
The Jags, as usual, had a good first half and although going into the break one down, we had our chances and could have been leading. However two minutes into the second half the Can-Cans scored again….an annoying trait recently – especially after mistakes ….. and then we succumbed to another two later on in the game !! ….Everyone seemed to agree this was not a four-niller…but goals are the currency and we didn’t score.
So it was off to the drying room and to prepare for our visit to Nairn.
The weather couldn’t have been better – warm with a gentle breeze and The Jags were very much the better team in the first half not converting at least two good chances and arrived at half time with the score being 0-0.
Then…our annoying trait – two minutes into the second half we were one down, again! We then lost another goal in the seventy-third minute and the heads seemed to go down with County scoring two more goals in eighty and eighty-nine minutes – we managed a consolation goal, a nicely controlled shot from the edge of the penalty area by Mike McKenzie in the ninety-first minute – but everyone was very, very disappointed at how the second half had gone….
In both games we have competed very well, but, by not being able to take our chances in front of goal it has cost us dear.
CUP DRAW
Sunday evening saw the draw for the first round of the Scottish Cup sponsored this year by Scottish Gas and we were the fifth match drawn by Scotland ‘keeper Craig Gordon – we were drawn away from home and our opponents are from the Lowland League – Gala Fairydean Rovers from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders – so we have a fair trek on Saturday 23 September.
CLIVE’S FAMILY
It was first time for a long time for the Wolstenholme boys to be all at the same match at the same time – pictured in Forres are LtoR – Nick who arrived from Barcelona, Clive who stays in Aviemore and Alex currently residing in Sheffield – all are loyal Jags fans – in fact Clive is Club Secretary, Alex does the Jags Twitter feed and Nick is in charge of our Instagram output……thanks to y’all…….
SEAFIELD PARK HAPPENINGS
Continuing from the last post there was movement with the MKM dugouts – and as the photograph shows the Home one has just been completed and looks braw….however, at the moment there is still a perspex panel(s) issue with the Away one…but it will be completed ASAP.
LOTTERY
As ever we conclude this weeks meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £2300 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play….
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK JAGS FANS
CLIVE’S NEWSLETTER – AUGUST 2023
5th First bus ride of the new season with a visit to Harlaw Park, Pitmedden to take on Formartine United. A lovely ground with an excellent pitch. Formartine joined the Highland League the same time as we did in 2009. It is always a tough ground to get a result on and this was no different. First 33 minutes saw us keep a good shape but then conceded a sloppy goal but went in one down at half-time pleased with how the team were playing. The second forty-five was a repeat of last week’s game at Forres which was disappointing. Further goals on 58, 63 and 90 minutes made it a long journey home. Shots on goal 3, shots off 5 and 2 corners. Bookings for James McShane and Owen Paterson.
Our first home game scheduled for August 12 has been postponed as Huntly have to play a preliminary round game in the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup.
16thAfter an eleven day break it was another away game at Dudgeon Park, Brora. A beautiful summer evening greeted our arrival for what was Brora’s first home game after they had had their pitch re-laid. It was a really positive performance by The Jags and they created a number of decent chances. A sloppy opening goal on 30 minutes for the home side was followed nine minutes later by a second for the Rangers.
We took the game to the home side and it was no surprise when Owen Loveland made it 2-1 on 71 minutes which really opened up the game with The Strathy Jags having ten minutes of pressure which so nearly became 2-2. Brora scored again on 82 minutes but that was not a fair reflection of the game. So many positives to take for the journey home on what was an excellent team performance. If only we can cut out the defensive errors.
Team: Steven Martin (GK); Owen Patterson, Taylor Sutherland, James McShane (c), William Urquhart, Alan Kerr, Joe Cuthbert, Jack Mackay, Jack Davison, Ross Logan, Michael McKenzie – Subs used: Iain Ross, Cairn Giles, Owen Loveland.
19thThe positive vibes at the club soon changed when four of the first team developed flu symptoms during Friday and Saturday morning and the club could only field 13 players for the league visit of Banks O’ Dee to Seafield Park.
Missing were Michael Mackenzie, Jack Davison, Taylor Sutherland and Seamus McGonaghy.
(A recent aerial view of Seafield Park)
Two of the starting eleven were not feeling a hundred percent when ‘The Strathy Jags’ took to the pitch and it didn’t help matters to concede a very poor goal in under a minute and a second on ten minutes. Half time was reached four down but there was an improvement in the second half with the final score 6-0.
Team: Steven Martin (GK); Owen Patterson, Jack Gilliland, William Urquhart, Alan Kerr, Joe Cuthbert, Jack Mackay, Ian Ross, Ross Logan, Owen Loveland – Subs used; Liam Grant, Caelen Mutch.
Details above of a fundraising social event coming up soon
26thCup football today and a visit to Lossiemouth for the Highland League Cup.
A sunny and warm afternoon greeted both teams and in a close game ‘The Strathy Jags’ recorded their first win of the season through a penalty converted by Owen Paterson in the 87th minute. This was the best 90 minute performance from the team so far this season and let us hope that this a sign of progress for the games ahead.
Team: Steve Martin (GK); Owen Patterson, Caelen Mutch, James McShane, Alan Kerr, Joe Cuthbert, Jack Mackay, Jack Davison, Ross Logan, Iain Ross, Michael MacKenzie – Subs used; Seamus McGonaghy, Owen Loveland, William Urquhart.
30th More knockout football and, in difficult conditions, the Jags were beaten 4-0 by Forres Mechanics in the North of Scotland Cup at Mosset Park, Forres.
A tight first-half saw the home side take the lead shortly before half-time and a second goal soon after the break put them in command although two further strikes put an unfair gloss on the final scoreline.
Team: Ruaridhri Nicol (GK); Owen Patterson, Liam Grant, Allan Kerr, Owen Loveland, James McShane (c), Jack Davison, Jack McKay, Seamus McConachy, Joe Cuthbert, Michael McKenzie – Subs used; Caelan Mutch, Iain Ross, Ross Logan, Daniel Whitehorn
September Home Games
Saturday 9th : Fraserburgh (Highland League Cup)
Saturday 30th : Wick Academy