Substitution
Regular readers of the monthly Strathspey Thistle FC Newsletter will notice a slight difference to the style and layout for the next few months. Club Secretary Clive Wolstenholme has asked me – Club Commercial Manager Rob A. Clark to take over the task of keeping you informed about the club. Clive has set a high benchmark to keep up, but I hope my years as match reporter and programme editor will make sure you find this both engaging and informative.
2nd: Breedon Highland League – vs. Nairn County away
Strathspey Thistle travelled to Station Park home of local rivals Nairn County keen to put the disappointment of the midweek cup defeat behind them. In bright sunshine Strathspey Thistle had the best of the pressure in the goal less first half, however all their good play was undone after the first minute of the second half when the home side took the lead. Nairn County went on win the match 4-1 with the Strathspey Thistle consolation goal being scored by Michael Mackenzie in the second minute of injury time.
3rd: Scottish Gas Scottish Cup – 1st round draw
The following evening Strathspey Thistle Management Committee and Players attention turned to social media to learn the outcome of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup 1st round draw made by former Scotland International Goalkeeper Craig Gordon. The draw handed Strathspey Thistle with a 181 miles journey to the borders to play against Gala Fairydean Rovers of the Lowlands League with the tie to be played on the 23rd of September.
4th: Sponsored Dugouts
Since last season MKM Building Suppliers based in Aviemore have had their logo on the back of the home and away shirts and now their branding and logo can be seen on both the home and away dugouts at Seafield Park and very smart it looks too!
pictured L to R : MKM’s Marty Wares and Steve McRitchie, Strathspey Thistle chairman Donly McLeod and MKM’s Alan Carson
9th: GPH BUILDER’S MERCHANTS Highland League Cup
Quarter-Final vs Fraserburgh
After our victory at Lossiemouth a couple of weeks ago, the quarter-final draw gave us a home match against Fraserburgh FC. With our friends from the Dulnain Bridge Garage enjoying the full Jags hospitality which included a fish and chip supper which was supplied by the Royal Fish Bar. Although we lost 3-1 the home crowd were happy with some good play. We held our own throughout the first half even though we lost a goal in the 20th minute, but the main concern was that captain James McShane had to leave the field with an ankle injury. The visitors doubled their lead in the 57th minute though a penalty and then a second again two minutes later to go 3-0 in front however Daniel Whitehorn headed home a great goal for us in the 73rd minute and there were some tense moments in both goalmouths including us hitting the bar in the closing minutes.
A good match and we wish Fraserburgh all the best in the semi-final.
Player of the Match, Liam Grant was chosen by Dulnain Bridge Garage
as shown above Liam, centre, is pictured with Connor Clark and his Grandfather Duncan Clark.
Club Merchandise
The Fraserburgh match also saw the following items made by www.thehighlandcoo.com with 30th season anniversary logo go on sale for the first time, should anyone reading this want to place an order please contact me directly on stfcprogramme@gmail.com and I will get in touch with further details;
Coffee Mug; £10 Coaster (11cm x 11cm); £10 Photo Slate (20.7cm x 20.7cm) £30
SITUATIONS VACANT
Strathspey Thistle has two roles currently vacant and would like to hear from anyone who is interested in either; please in the first instance contact me via stfcprogramme@gmail.com or text message me / call my mobile; 07803307455
14th: New Signing: KANE DAVIES SIGNS:
We can confirm we have signed Kane Davies from Forres Mechanics on an initial 1-year deal.
From the manager Robert MacCormack “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.”
17. Kane Davies
16th: Breedon Highland League – vs. Brechin City away
Well we were back on the road one of our longest journeys of the season in the league fixture list – eighty two miles over hill and dale arriving at Brechin in rural Angus.
The match would have been difficult enough with our full squad available but with injuries and players having to work we were missing no fewer than five that did so well the week before.
We were 4-0 down at half time but a slightly better second half saw only one more goal conceded in a 5-0 defeat.
23rd: Scottish Gas Scottish Cup 1st Round – vs. Gala Fairydean Rovers away
Strathspey Thistle players, management and committee members had an early start with some catching the team bus just after 8am and picking up others on route south for the journey.
We stopped for breakfast at Bankfoot Services just before Perth before completing the 193miles arriving in Galashiels just before 1.30pm and all were made immediately welcome.
The match saw us play some of our best football of the season for the opening 20 minutes and goals by Kane Davies and Mike Mackenzie put us 2-0 in front and it could have easily been more.
However, before half-time a mixture of poor defending, injuries to both our ‘keeper Steve Martin and captain James McShane and good goals, saw the home side lead 5-2! The final score ended 8-2
25th: Kick-Off Time Changes!
Please note that the following visitors to Seafield Park have agreed to a 2pm kick off:
Deveronvale Saturday 11th of November
Turriff United Saturday 25th November
Forres Mechanics 09th December
Brora Rangers 30th December
2024
Nairn County 13th January
Brechin City 27th JanuaryI
Inverurie Loco Works 17th February
Keith 09th March
30th: Unfortunately because of a serious accident on the A9 between Brora and Golspie, the team coach of Wick Academy was unable to continue it’s journey to Grantown-on-Spey for the Highland League fixture and the decision was taken to postpone the fixture.
30th: Fund raising event sold out
The evening of the 30th of September saw Strathspey Thistle Players, Management and some committee members in attendance in the Royal British Legion Scotland – Strathspey Clubrooms in Grantown-on-Spey for a fund raising evening with local rock band “K & The Pupils” with lead singer Iain Brooks being a former Strathspey Thistle player.
Many former players were in attendance too and it was a huge success, special mention to committee member Graeme Stuart who was doorman for the whole evening.