AWAY GAME v BUCKIE THISTLE FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
VICTORIA PARK, BUCKIE AB56 1BJ
SATURDAY 2 MARCH 2024 – KO 3pm
ROBERT MACCORMACK
Making the headlines on the back pages this week was manager Robert MacCormack’s decision to step down as manager next season. He stated in an interview in Wednesday’s Press & Journal saying that primarily the task ahead of building a new squad for next season over the summer was something that he was unable to dedicate one hundred per cent of his time to as he wanted to spend more time with his family, something he has had to sacrifice this year and now had even more admiration for Highland League managers for all the time and effort they give their clubs.
He was very appreciative to the Jags for giving him the opportunity of managing a Highland League club, and we as a club have appreciated the amount of dedication Rob has put in since his appointment from Alness United just over a year ago, and although we are disappointed the committee fully understand his decision. He also intimated that if a new manager is appointed before the end of the season he is quite willing to step aside.
We wish him all the best for the future and he will always be welcome at Seafield Park especially after his comments in his interview with Niall Harkiss in the local paper – The Strathy – click here
It is plain for all to see that in our current league position the great amount of work Rob would have had to do behind the scenes to put together a different squad for next year, as many of the current player’s contracts finish at the end of this season.
There is also a possibility we may not be in the Highland League.
Currently the only club with the correct credentials are Lochee Utd from Dundee,who sit second in the Scottish Midland League but their chances of winning it took a backward step on Wednesday night when current league leaders Broughty Athletic beat them 3-0. As a result of this win Broughty went fourteen points ahead with nine games to go – albeit Lochee have three games in hand but have to play Broughty away, so The Jags are keeping a close watch on the proceedings in the Dundee area…..
Also on the subject of the future of Strathspey Thistle there have seemingly been rumours going about about our future demise – at our monthly meeting the other night nothing could be further from the truth, and although disappointed with Rob’s decision we must carry on….and I would say that off the field we are as strong as we have been for a long time ….so as Mark Twain said “ reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated” …..
BUCKIE THISTLE – 2 MARCH 2024
So this week we face the onerous task of heading to Victoria Park for our first encounter with Buckie Thistle this season. We were to meet in Grantown in October but advice from the Scottish Government regarding inclement weather postponed that fixture.
Buckie have had a marvellous season so far- apart from last Saturday’s defeat at home to Clach – and are currently sitting in third place in the league on fifty-two points trailing the leaders Brechin City by seven points but with three games in hand they are very much in contention of winning the league.
So it will be a very tough afternoon on Saturday – hopefully Buckie will be feeling the effects of playing so many games over the past few weeks……which included their trip to Parkhead where they played Celtic live on television in a Scottish Cup tie and did the Highland League proud. In their ranks are two regulars from the Strathspey area, defender Sam Morrison and goal scorer supreme Josh Peters who will both no doubt do us no favours whatsoever…and rightly so!
Currently we will arrive at Victoria Park with a depleted squad mainly due to injuries…..but as we always say in the words of the great Greavsie….”It’s a funny old game, Saint”……you never know…..
LAST SATURDAY IN HUNTLY
The least said about our first half’s performance the better as we went in to the half-time break trailing by six goals to nil. There was a slight resurgence in the second half only conceding one more goal and finishing the game with a seven nil defeat.
A major concern to us all was losing Ross Logan early in the first half with a head injury and after going to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin he was sent to Aberdeen for surgery to an eye injury – all our best wishes go to him in recovering from what must be a very uncomfortable injury.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Confirmed dates from the Highland League are the following rearranged fixtures with three home games as follows.
Wednesday March 6 v Brora Rangers KO 20.00hrs
Wednesday March 13 v Wick Academy KO 20.00hrs
Saturday March 30 v Nairn County KO 3pm
PITCH SIDE ADVERTISING
We have created a page on the website thanking the companies who have this year taken the opportunity of pitch side advertising boards – to view the page click here
LOTTERY
As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £4800 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…
LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES
As intimated a couple of weeks ago after the current jackpot, has been won therefore completing that game there will be couple of changes.
There will still be a weekly prize of £100 for a consolation winner if their entry matches four of the five numbers drawn, however instead of a weekly increase in the jackpot of £100, this will now be increased monthly.
The game is to forecast 5 winning numbers, which are drawn at random, from 1-20. The 5 numbers chosen are to be marked by a cross (X).
The Jackpot prize starts at £1,000 and the game continues until it is won and starts afresh. As applicable, the Jackpot increases by £100 immediately after the first draw in each calendar month, up to a maximum of £5,000. The Jackpot is then capped at £5,000 until it is won in a weekly draw.
- If more than one player has 5 winning numbers, the Jackpot will be divided equally among the winning players.
- Should no entry forecast all 5 winning numbers, then any player matching 4 numbers will be entered into a draw for a single Consolation Prize of £100.
- THE DRAW will take place every SUNDAY at 7pm unless otherwise advised.
- The entrant named on the ticket must be at least 16 years of age.
- All winners will be notified.
So, that’s all sports fans hopefully we will see you at Seafield Park on Wednesday night for the Brora game or the Saturday after (9 March)when we host Keith FC.