NO GAME THIS SATURDAY
WE WISH ALL THE HIGHLAND LEAGUE TEAMS INVOLVED IN THE SCOTTISH CUP 2ND ROUND ALL THE BEST!
LAST SATURDAY’S MATCH v ROTHES FC
Where do we start?
Possibly one of the Jags’ best ever performances in the Highland League……..
A clean sheet…….
For the first time in over two years we are not bottom of the league…….
And a big thank you to all the Jags’ supporters who made their way to Rothes to support the team….and I am sure they all enjoyed their afternoon…
All in all this result gives us an idea to what Ryan and the boys are capable of, and, hopefully, over the coming weeks and months with a fully fit and settled squad at his disposal, I am confident that we will go from strength to strength……keep the faith!
The game at Rothes is this week’s featured league match on the Press and Journal Highland Football Weekly report and highlights can be viewed by clicking here – subscription required.
LAST SATURDAY’S BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE GAME v ROTHES FC – report by Ian Davidson edited for the web – full match report in the printed version of the Strathspey & Badenoch Herald – available every Thursday – or by subscription online.
The Jags made the relatively short trip to Rothes at the weekend looking for a morale boosting victory over the Speysiders to close the gap in the basement battle and in doing so give themselves a much-needed confidence booster in their quest to move up the table and out of the danger zone.
This they did with some style against a Rothes side who did not have the cutting edge shown by the visitors who simply put them to the sword with some excellent finishing.
The only negative aspect in an otherwise emphatic victory was the red card shown to Josh Race who was dismissed by Referee Kevin Murray for allegedly throwing an elbow at Rothes skipper Liam McDade with twenty minutes remaining.
The Jags lined up with four changes to their starting line-up from the team that had gone down to third placed Inverurie Loco Works the previous week.
Paul Brindle, Steven MacDonald, James McShane and Josh Race were all recalled to the starting eleven, James Fraser and Stephen Rennie were still absentees, and with Cameron Lisle, Kieran Duffty and Juan Cardoba dropping to the bench.
Ryan Esson’s side showed their intensions as early as the opening minute, when Paul Brindle raced onto a through ball just inside the box, with Rothes keeper Martin Mackinnon denying the striker with a comfortable save.
Six minutes later the visitors came even closer when following a Josh Race corner, James McShane headed back across goal for Daniel Whitehorn to head narrowly past at the far post.
The breakthrough came after nine minutes. Kieran Chalmers flighted a free kick into the box for skipper James McShane to apply the finish from six yards to give Strathspey the early lead they craved.
The home side responded, and came close to restoring parity after 18 minutes, when Ross Logan got on the end of a cross from Ruari Duncan after the visitors failed to clear their lines effectively but fired his effort over the bar.
A minute later, the home side were made to pay for that missed opportunity, when Filip Franczak weaved his way along the byeline and released Daniel Whitehorn who, found the net with a clever back-heel finish to make it 2-0. – watch it here
The pressure continued on the home rearguard and four minutes later it was 3-0, when the home side conceded a penalty when Paul Brindle was upended in the box. MacKinnon initially saved the striker’s spot kick however the ref indicated the award to be retaken as the keeper had moved. The striker stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way from the resultant retake to leave the home side with a mountain to climb.
Five minutes from the break a through ball again released Filip Franczak who crossed this time forJosh Race to knock home the fourth, and on the stroke of half-time with the Jags now in complete control only a brilliant full length save from Mackinnon denied McShane his second of the match.
The second period opened with the home side looking to give their fans something to shout about.
Seven minutes after the resumption ex-Jag Ross Logan dispossessed Whitehorn but his effort from the edge of the box brought a fine save from Storrier.
Two minutes later, Mackinnon was the hero again, this time he got down well to save from Whitehorn at point blank range as the visitors looked to further extend their lead.
The pressure continued to build on the home side and on 65 minutes the visitors went nap when Paul Brindle reacted quickly when a loose ball in the box found him with both time and space to beat the keeper when he swivelled to smash home his second goal of the match.
The visitors were sensationally reduced to ten men after 68 minutes, when referee Murray very contoversially adjudged that midfield man Josh Race had thrown an elbow at Rothes skipper and ex-Jag Liam McDade to put a damper on the visitors excellent overall performance. Many of the Jags’ supporters were very disappointed at McDade’s actions in the incident.
The scoring was completed with fourteen minutes remaining when substitute Liam Shewan cut a ball back from the byeline and Kieran Chalmers capped an excellent performance when he smacked home the sixth with a drive from the edge of the box.
Overall, this was an excellent performance from the Jags who looked much sharper throughout with the home side seen little as an attacking force.
This result moves the Jags off the foot of the table and closes the gap on the immediate teams above them.
All in all this result gives us an idea to what Ryan and the boys are capable of, and hopefully over the coming weeks and months with a fully fit and settled squad at his disposal, I am confident
CONGRATULATIONS PAUL BRINDLE
SM Media Highland League Player of the Week!
We’re thrilled that Paul Brindle has been named the SM Media Highland League Player of the Week after his stellar performance in our 6-0 victory over Rothes on Saturday!
Paul netted two crucial goals, helping the Jags secure a dominant win!
He is proudly sponsored by Mackellar Group for the season.
MATCHDAY HOSPITALITY OVER THE COMING WEEKS
Please join us for the Fraserburgh Football Club game on Saturday November 2nd!
Don’t miss your chance to experience our introductory hospitality offer.
It’s your last opportunity to enjoy this exclusive package, so be sure to reserve your spot!
For just £35 per person, enjoy:
Complimentary drinks from 2 PM until kick-off / One-course lunch / Seat in the Donly McLeod Stand / Complimentary half-time beverage and a pie.
Cash bar from 1-2 PM and then at FT
Don’t wait—book your place now!
We are also taking hospitality bookings for the remainder of the season –
Sat 23rd Nov – Huntly Football Club
Sat 14th Dec – Wick Academy FC (Festive Jumper Day)
Sat 28th Dec – Deveronvale Football Club
Sat 11th Jan – Buckie Thistle Football Club
Sat 25th Jan – Brechin City FC
Sat 8th Feb – Clachnacuddin FC
Sat 22nd Feb – Nairn County FC
Sat 22nd Mar – Rothes Football Club (Ladies Day)
Sat 12th Apr – Turriff United Football Club
Email: hospitality@strathspeythistlefc.uk
£8200 TO BE WON – THIS WEEK’S JACKPOT PRIZE
As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of a massive £8200 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.
That’s all for now sports fans – see you at Seafield Park next Saturday.