Highland League Football Club based at Seafield Park, Grantown-on-Spey, Scotland
TONIGHTS BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE MATCH v BRORA RANGERS HAS BEEN POSTPONED – SNOW COVERED PITCH AND BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES
We will eventually get this game played – apologies to all who were planning the game tonight but weather is the one major thing we can’t control.
Hopefully it’ll be sunny and warm in Lossiemouth on Saturday!
HOME GAME v BRORA RANGERS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2024 – KO 8pm
We welcome to Grantown, players, committee and supporters of Brora Rangers on what we hope will be a calm evening under the floodlights at Seafield Park.
Brora who are sitting in 9th place in the league but have only played fifteen games which is five games in hand on the leaders Brechin City – which has been all due to weather postponements and cup duties.
Brora would consider themselves very much title contenders and they will come to Seafield Park intent on getting the win, but as we always say …you never know in football even although their last outing was a good 3-0 win against Deveronvale in Banff.
The last time we played Brora, back in August at Dudgeon Park, we played very well. Two down at half time, we pulled a goal back through Jack Davison but finally losing a very late goal making the score 3-1 to the home side…but for most parts of the game we matched or bettered The Cattachs.
Recent results have not been very kind to the Jags, although generally the performance level has been good, but, we will be anxious to get something out of the game.
We hope that the weather gods are with us too as there will be a pitch inspection at lunchtime Wednesday.
MATCH ON SATURDAY v WICK ACADEMY
As Brora Rangers head down the A9 for their match here in Grantown on Wednesday night, last Saturday we travelled in the opposite direction through Brora and on to Wick for our match against Wick Academy.
Sunshine greeted us but it was cold and there was a very strong wind which Wick took advantage of and were three up by half time and thoughts of our most recent game against Rothes crossed our minds, but the proverbial fitba saying of a game of two halves came true yet again….compulsive scorer Jack Davison scored twice and we very nearly equalised in what was a far more competitive half from our point of view…the strong winds definitely played a major role in the outcome but a good game should be in the offing next Wednesday (14 Feb) when The Scorries arrive at Seafield Park in what might not be described as a Valentine mood….final score at Harmsworth Park was 3-2 to the home team. After their visit, the Jags officials were very complementary to Wick for their hospitality …as always!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
As I have said before Wednesday night football is more difficult for supporters to attend and we thank all of them very much for making the effort to do so, especially those making the long journeys from Brora and Wick – if you require any information regarding your visit please click here for more information.
HAPPY FORKERS
If it’s a Tuesday morning this is the place to be…….committee members Graeme Stuart, Donly McLeod, Charlie Sinclair and Alan Mackenzie are joined by superfan Jim Beveridge, in the black and red anorak, for a few hours of pitch repairs. The general consensus was that the pitch was in pretty good shape considering the time of year and the weather we have had in Grantown over the past few weeks. There will be a pitch inspection on Wednesday at midday as there is a chance of some inclement weather as Brora have a bit of travelling to do.
JANUARY’S CLUB NEWSLETTER
The Jags monthly newsletter edited by Rob Clark is now available to download – click on the following for more info – wolstc@aol.com
AWAY GAME vWICK ACADEMY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
HARMSWORTH PARK, WICK, KW1 5NH
SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2024 – KO 3pm
After a devastating night in Rothes on Wednesday the boys, management and committee have to pick themselves up, jump on the bus and head all the way up the A9 to Harmsworth Park in Wick in our first meeting of the 23/24 season against Wick Academy.
The Scorries sit in fifteenth place in the league on thirteen points in what has been an up and down season for them with their last point won in their home encounter with Rothes at the start of the year, so both teams on Saturday will be on the hunt for points.
Manager Robert said this week in The Strathy that we were entering a crucial part of the season and we will have to take points from our games over the next month or so, when we will be playing teams who are positioned around us in the league so for our future prospects and aspirations we have to win games, plain and simple!
As ever we wish the team and Robert and his management amigos all the best in their quest for three points.
MATCH v ROTHES ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT
It’s funny how we all see the game differently…..a game of two halves x 100!
I was unable to visit Rothes on Wednesday so was reliant on our excellent WhatsApp communications team ….
Jack Davison, who is becoming most prolific in front of goal this season, scored the first of his two goals for the Jags after ten minutes, but we conceded our first penalty on twenty-five. Four minutes later we were 2-1 up, a nice wee glancing header by Jack for his second.All was well until right on half time when Rothes equalised.
Then armageddon…….from a “superb through ball” as reported in one of the papers ex-Jags man Jake Thompson, who had a very good game, ran on to the pass and scored…however most of the spectators viewing from the stand were absolutely convinced the offside flag would be raised but no…the goal stood. That was then followed by Rothes being awarded two penalties in the space of two minutes. So suddenly we were 5-2 down and with a further three goals scored in the last five minutes, not a good night was had by the Jags contingent – we had also five players booked and manager Rob was sent to the stand.
Perhaps the ref wanted to send Rob a card in celebration of his first full year in charge.
So …….it’s off to Wick we go, hi-ho.
SPUD THE PIPER
We spent some time at Seafield Park today with the legendary internationally known local lad Spud the Piper. We were doing pics for some future promotional ideas.
LOTTERY
As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £4400 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…and as I said a few weeks ago when this game is completed and the jackpot won, we are going to have a couple of changes but we will let everyone know asap.
AWAY GAME v ROTHES FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
MACKESSACK PARK, ROTHES
WEDNESDAY 31 JANUARY 2024 – KO-8pm
It’s a midweek Speysiders clash under the floodlights at Mackessack Park as we mosey on down the river to our annual away match against Rothes FC. The match was scheduled for 20 January but the inclement weather that week meant that the match was postponed – which at that time was expected. There has been a bit of frost about this week so lets hope that it lifts and the match can go ahead.
Both Rothes and ourselves failed to win on Saturday so it promises to be a cracker – and there will be some well ‘kent faces on both sides so I would imagine there will be no love lost on the pitch.
We wish Rob and boys all the best as we enter a crucial month for the Jags.
SATURDAY’S MATCH AGAINST BRECHIN CITY
Firstly on behalf of the Jags we would thank the tremendous support who accompanied Brechin on Saturday and we hope they enjoyed their visit. As their team won six-one I would imagine they did, but as ever a result can sometimes colour the perception of how the game went.
We went into the game having not played competitively for over a month and we were facing the team which sits on top of the league.
Having lost two goals within the first fifteen minutes we settled into our game very well and Jack Davison pulled a goal back before half time so we went into the break at 2-1 down.
However soon after the break and with our players beginning to feel the pace, Brechin were able to bring on three subs one of which is possibly one of the league’s top players and with their pace and mobility we ran out of steam and conceded four goals over the last half hour.
Our new signings striker John MacLeod played for the last twenty minutes showing some deft touches, on what was his first time on a pitch for ages after returning from injury, and our new goalkeeper seventeen year-old Ethan Rae, who has signed on loan from Ross County until the end of the season, made a very impressive debut and was lauded by all Jags club officials and fans despite the six goals. It’ll be interesting to see how both will enhance the team once they are settled in.
WELCOME THE NEW BOYS
We welcome to the Club until the end of the season, at least, striker John MacLeod on loan from Buckie Thistle, and two goalkeepers Ethan Rae on loan from Ross County and Zef Ubych.
NEXT SATURDAY
We’re off to Wick – post scheduled for Friday….till then sports fans….
HOME GAME v BRECHIN CITY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 27 JANUARY 2024 – KO 2pm
This Saturday the league leaders come to town.
Yes, we welcome players, committee and supporters of Brechin City FC to Seafield Park. They are sitting on top of the Breedon Highland League so it’s not going to be an easy return to action for the Jags after having not played since the 16th December.
Manager Robert MacCormack said exactly that to the local paper “The Strathy” this week, but, he has a full squad to pick from and he and the rest of the boys are really looking forward to the challenge. The Jags this season have played reasonably well against the teams nearer the top of the division…and as we always say in football….you never know…..
Brechin, who have been going great guns, play their second away game of the week after their three nil victory in Lossiemouth on Wednesday night. They have only lost two games this season, the last one being a four-three defeat at third placed Formartine in the middle of December and currently lead the league by one point from Banks O’Dee, who have played two games more. Strangely enough our last game was a home game against Formartine and we lost narrowly by one goal to nil.
So a very tough match is in prospect for the Jags and if we manage to take anything from the game it will be very much a bonus.
Since Brechin joined the Highland League they have always taken a good support with them and we thank them for making the journey and would hope that this Saturday will be no exception. If any of the Brechin fans want to find out a wee bit about Grantown click here for more information.
NEW SIGNING
On Friday manager Robert MacCormack announced that he had signed forward John MacLeod on loan until the end of the season from very much in the news Buckie Thistle.
Rob says “ I know John well and I am delighted to bring a player of his quality to the Club. He is a proven goal scorer at the very top end of the Highland League. He’s now fully fit after a long period out and I’m confident he will be a fantastic addition to the group”.
LAST WEDNESDAY BRORA POSTPONEMENT
As said before we have not kicked a ball in the league or cup since December 16 as our game scheduled for last Wednesday night again fell foul of the winter conditions which we have suffered over the past few weeks here in Grantown, and although it was a close decision the game against Brora Rangers had to be postponed – but on a brighter note there are very high hopes that the pitch will be playable on Saturday – fingers crossed for a couple of days of lenient weather.
The fixture has been rearranged for Wednesday 7 February with an 8pm kick off.
FUTURE GAMES
Assuming that the weather does not play havoc over the next few weeks the Jags will have a very busy February with a mostly Saturday /Wednesday schedule. They are as follows:
HOME GAMES
Wed 7 Feb v Brora Rangers – Wed 14 Feb v Wick Academy – Saturday 17 Feb v Inverurie Locos
AWAY GAMES
Sat 3 Feb v Wick Academy – Sat 10 Feb v Lossiemouth – Sat 24 Feb Huntly and Sat 2 March v Buckie Thistle
So, hopefully, we’ll see everyone a week on Wednesday for the aforementioned Brora Rangers visit.
As ever please check with our social media and the Highland League fixtures page as these dates were correct on 25 January.
LOTTERY
As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £4300 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…
HOME GAME v BRORA RANGERS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY 2024 – KO 8pm
Despite the sunny intervals here in Grantown this past hour, the pitch has been inspected and is deemed waterlogged which is not surprising considering the freezing temperatures of a week ago and the rainfall over the past few days….fingers crossed that there is a warming wind, and, perhaps a wee bit of sunshine which will help the pitch get ready for Saturday’s home game against Brechin.
HOME GAME v BRORA RANGERS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY 2024 – KO 8pm
PITCH INSPECTION WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY AT NOON
We again fell foul of the weather when our match against Rothes last Saturday was postponed making it more than a month since our last fixture, but no amount of love nor money can guarantee that a game in the Highland League in the winter months is safe….. and this has been one of these weeks….
Brora’s Scottish Cup tie with Cove Rangers was postponed last Friday and it was then re-arranged for Tuesday (23rd, today) as most replays or postponements are, but, there was always the possibility that the game would be postponed again. So the date of our league game against Brora was provisionally off, but it may be re-instated if the Brora/Cove cup was called off on Tuesday…..as long as Seafield Park was playable……. Now, move forward to yesterday (Monday) and the Brora cup-tie was postponed again due to pitch conditions….so, as I write this and before Storm Joceylyn comes to town we now go ahead with the Breedon Highland League match, which itself was postponed from December 30th, against Brora Rangers at Seafield Park Wednesday night 8pm.
We welcome to Grantown, players, committee and supporters of Brora Rangers on what we hope will be a calm evening under the floodlights at Seafield Park. Brora who are sitting in 9th place in the league but have at least four games in hand on the leaders – all due to weather postponements and cup duties. Very much title contenders they will come to Seafield Park intent on getting the win, but as we always say …you never know in football especially since their last outing cost them two points with a draw at Inverurie a couple of weeks ago. This was Brora’s first league outing in a month so perhaps we could hope that there could still be a rustiness about Brora’s performance.
The last time we played Brora back in August at Dudgeon Park, we played very well. Two down at half time, we pulled a goal back through Jack Davison but finally losing a very late goal making the score 3-1 to the home side…but for large parts of the game we matched or bettered The Cattachs.
However, as we haven’t set foot on a football pitch in over a month lets hope rustiness does not bother us, and that we can come out all guns blazin’ and start to make an impact on the league position we find ourselves in.
Manager Robert will have more or less a full squad at his disposal and we hope that the weather gods are reasonably benign before and between the hours of 8 and 10 pm on Wednesday night.
THANK YOU
Wednesday night football is more difficult for supporters to attend and we thank them very much for making the effort to do so, especially those making the long journey from Brora and if you require any information regarding your visit please click here for more information. Thank you.
HELP, HELP PLEASE
Assuming the game goes ahead on Wednesday, I would surmise that the pitch will need some repairing ahead of our next home match on Saturday.A couple of committee members and one or two loyal helpers will be at the ground on Thursday morning around 10am armed with their wellies and their garden fork….if you can make it and help us that would be great.
NEXT GAMES
As mentioned we host Brechin City on Saturday in a Breedon Highland League match KO 2pm followed by a trip to Rothes next Wednesday 31 January.
CONGRATULATIONS
All involved with the Jags send their congratulations to striker Michael McKenzie and Angela on the birth of their baby daughter….welcome to the Strathspey Thistle family, Isla.
STOP PRESS – MONDAY 22 6PM
BRORA GAME TUESDAY OFF SO OUR GAME WITH BRORA COULD GO AHEAD – PITCH PERMITTING
AWAY GAME v ROTHES FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
MACKESSACK PARK, ROTHES
SATURDAY 20 JANUARY 23024 – KO 3pm
It is my sad duty to inform you that today’s match against Rothes FC has had to be postponed which is due to this week’s inclement weather and a frozen pitch.
The match will be played at a later date in the season.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Dates received from the Highland League this week for rearranged fixtures are as follows:
24 January Seafield Park 8pm v Brora Rangers has been postponed again because Brora’s Scottish Cup tie against Cove Rangers was postponed on Sat 20th – so it now needs to take place on Tuesday night 23Jan.
14 February Seafield Park 8pm v WICK ACADEMY FC
24 February Christie Park, Huntly 3pm v HUNTLY FC
Our next scheduled game will be next Saturday at Seafield Park against Brechin City.
AWAY GAME v ROTHES FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
MACKESSACK PARK, ROTHES
SATURDAY 20 JANUARY 23024 – KO 3pm
By continuing the bad weather theme it could be another blank day for the Jags as there is a good covering of snow blanketing a lot of the Breedon Highland Football League area – we are hopefully heading to Rothes for our Speyside Derby rematch after our entertaining match under the floodlights at Seafield Park back in October.
The Jags were three goals down by half-time but after the break we scored two before the second half was midway through, before Rothes clinched victory after ex Jags man Jake Thompson scored in eighty-seven minutes.
The Rothes manager that night Ross Jack, told the P&J newspaper that it could have been 10-8 to Rothes taking account all the chances missed.
Unfortunately for Ross, he and Rothes parted company last week, a move which resonated here with the Jags : Liam Shewan who we mentioned in last weeks post as continuing his loan signing from Rothes until the end of the season, was subsequently recalled, featuring in the Rothes team in their 3-1 defeat at Brechin City last Saturday.
It is such a shame losing Liam as he was fitting in nicely into manager Robert’s plans and he will be missed – but we wish him all the best…maybe not for this Saturday tho’….:-)….but on a positive note Euan Neil should be making his first appearance in the Jags defence.
Rothes currently sit in tenth place in the league and after a healthy start to the campaign have found themselves losing a lot of points over the last few months – so it will be up to the Jags to consolidate on the improvement we have been making recently…mind you it is a month since we last played….a regular occurrence in a Highland League winter! For example, Buckie Thistle are seven games and Brora Rangers are eight behind the amount Clachnacuddin have played!!
As last Saturday was another without a game for the Jags, Robert should have more or less a full squad available for selection and all raring to go again….but with all the snow and below freezing temperatures it could be another match postponed sign up at the gate!!
And……speaking of Buckie Thistle and Brora Rangers…..
SCOTTISH CUP
Two representatives from the Highland League survived and have made their way to the fourth round. Everyone here involved with Strathspey Thistle hope they do the Highland League proud. All the best to the “other Jags” and to Brora……..
https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1664381257428813
Good luck to Buckie Thistle and Brora Rangers for this week’s Scottish Cup Ties against Celtic and Cove Rangers respectively
JAGS FUNDRAISING LOTTERY
As ever we conclude this week’s meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £4200 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…
Jack Frost never left, so, Seafield Park is still frozen so unfortunately, today’s match against Nairn County has been postponed and will be played later in the season.
There will be dates for re-arranged fixtures in next week’s post.