Firstly let me apologise for the non-appearance of a post on Tuesday, especially after the momentous result of the Keith game, but I have had three days of trauma thanks to a kaput power lead to my router – hopefully all is well that ends well and there will be no more problems for a long time with internet connections!!
On Saturday we’re on the road again and this time we make the trip to Brechin for what will be our last visit to Glebe Park as Brechin City- The Hedgemen – have intimated that next year they will be playing in the Lowland League – that is if they don’t win the Highland League and re-enter Division 2 of the Scottish League through the pyramid play-offs. So, unless we draw Brechin in a cup game this will be the last time in Brechin.
The Jags will be looking forward to this visit, especially after our opening games of the season, and, will hopefully be able to give a better account of ourselves in comparison to our previous visits.
For ticketing information go here https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=12795
What a start to the season – our first win on the opening day of a Highland League season and following it up with another – six points from two games and we hadn’t reached August!
Let’s hope we can keep up the momentum – but, there is a tough few weeks ahead with some very difficult games and hopefully, if we can work hard and compete all Jags fans will be delighted.
MATCH v KEITH FC – SEAFIELD PARK, JULY 26 2025.
On a very pleasant afternoon for football, the Highland League for season 2025/2026 began.
Jags’ fans were very eager to see how the new signings blended with retained players from last season would gel and there was a quiet confidence about the way the make up of the team seemed to be going – a good pre-season had gaffer Ryan Esson very confidant about how the season should go and this was the message on Facebook on Saturday morning.
Keith were the better team for the first twenty minutes or so and Jags’ League debutant keeper Danny Gillan made a couple of smart saves early doors. However, we started gaining control and after thirty four minutes we got the break of the ball and Shaun Morrison pounced making it one-nil to the Jags.
We kept up the pressure into the second half and were rewarded with another well taken goal by Shaun which made it two-nil. After eighty-two minutes Keith scored and Jags’ fans in the substantial crowd began fretting slightly but five minutes later Josh Race cutting in from the right and from the edge of the penalty box curled a fantastic shot into the top right corner of the goal giving Keith keeper Reid no chance, and in doing quelled the home fans nerves!
What a start – for the first time in our Highland League history ( since July 2009 ) we had won our opening game and put three points on the board. Joy.
Everyone came through the match unscathed and it was great to see Aaron Doran doing the full ninety minutes, and the new boys all did very well – we just hope all the positivity that there was on Saturday continues for the season….we now headed to Rothes for a midweek clash at Mackessack park before making the long trip to league favourites Brechin on Saturday.
MATCH v ROTHES, WEDNESDAY 30 JULY 2025
It was with a wee bit of a swagger we arrived at Mackessack Park for our league encounter with Rothes FC – a swagger soon to be nullified by Rothes taking the lead after five minutes after their new loan signing from Elgin City Daniel Fraser scored. It took the rest of the first half for us to draw level with a cracking long range effort by Liam Shewan in stoppage time before the break – see Liam’s equalising goal here
Two minutes into the second half Shaun Morrison scored his third goal in two games and put us one ahead and five minutes later Liam scored his second goal of the evening to put make the score 3 – 1 to the Jags. However, Rothes weren’t finished and Daniel Fraser scored his second goal, followed by Tom Brady who levelled the score.
Jags’ captain James McShane finally finished the scoring with a bullet header with five minutes to go.
There was a very good attendance and the crowd were treated to a really exciting game of fitba’ – and we were really happy to leave Rothes with the three points to continue our record breaking run of achieving two wins out of two games at the start of a league season.
NEW FACES
Ryan Esson with new loan signings Jamie Williamson and Calum Brown ahead of the Keith match.
Both players came off the bench in the second half as we secured a 3-1 home win to kick off the season in style!
Great to have you on board, lads!
JAMES LEE FRASER
We’re delighted to confirm that James Lee Fraser has taken on the role of Player/Coach at Strathspey Thistle.
James made club history last season by scoring our fastest ever goal — just 38 seconds in!
This is a natural next step in his journey with the club. While his focus will now be predominantly on coaching, he’ll still be registered as a player — and may be called upon when needed during the season.
Manager Ryan Esson said: “James is a big figure in the dressing room and someone the younger lads really look up to. He leads by example and this new role is a natural progression for him — and a big plus for the club.”
KEITH FC PRESENTATION
It was a great gesture last Saturday from Keith FC – as they were to be the first club being welcomed to our new Committee Room by presenting us with a bottle of Malt Whisky to commemorate the opening.
The photo shows Keith chairman Andy Troup presenting the bottle to Jags’ chairman Donly McLeod.
Thanks to Keith’s Eleanor Hutcheon for supplying the photograph.
LOTTERY NOW £12,2000……As ever we close with details of our fundraising Club Lottery and the jackpot is now a whopping great £12,200…….click here if you want to play…
LOTTERY CH-CH-CHANGES
After the current jackpot has been won therefore completing that game, there will be some 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.