It’s that time of the year again when the Road to Hampden for the final in May next year begins. We visit Station Park, Nairn IV12 5NQ on Saturday 18 September for a 3pm kick off, in what looks likely to be a cracker of a football match. Both teams have had an up and down start to the season so it looks as though it will be a very tight game – we obviously hope the boys get through and we’re still in the hat for the next round draw.
The Jags Lottery jackpot stands at £4800.00 this week so if you want to play just click on the Lottery logo >>>>>>>>>> Thank you and good luck.
Action from the last league game against Rothes at Seafield Park in September 2019
Greeee…tings……
We welcome back Rothes FC to Seafield Park for the second time in two weeks. As ever they will be bringing a great support with them, and we hope they enjoy their afternoon in Grantown – we also hope to turn the tables on them this time. Encouraged by some of the results in the Breedon Highland League already this year by all teams, we’re sure it’ll be a hard fought match for the three points.
Rothes had a very good 4-1 win against us in the North of Scotland Cup semi-final here last week and we wish them luck for the final in October. Everything should be back some sort of pre-CoVid normality on Saturday but again we urge all supporters attending to stay safe.
August 3….A friendly bounce game this evening at Seafield Park against an under 20 side from Inverness Caley Thistle. The team gave a good account of themselves before going down 4-3. Our goals were from Kieran Chalmers, Jordan Wardrope and trialist Chris Innes. The only downside was that a couple of injuries were picked up.
August 7 On a warm and sunny afternoon in Forres the Jags went down 4-2 which was a disappointing defeat. A lead on six minutes through Kieran Chalmers gave us a decent start and we continued to create clear chances although Kieran came off due to injury mid way through the first half. Half time it was 1-1 but the second half went to Forres who ran out winners by 4-2. Our second goal came from Kris Duncan.
August 9 Surprising news from the Highland League came with the resignation of Steven Mckay of Brora Rangers after their 6-2 defeat at Fraserburgh after being 2-0 up at Bellsea. The 10-0 defeat of Keith at Buckie Thistle resulted in joint managers Andy Roddie and Tommy Wilson standing down. Ethan Cairns, a forward with Inverness Caley Thistle, would be joining us on loan until January 2 2022.
August 13 Friday night football returned to Grant Street Park, Inverness when we visited Clachnacuddin. A warm summer evening produced a game of two halves. The Jags played well in the first 45 minutes and deservedly led at half-time through a very good goal from Kris Duncan which was created by Jake Thomson. Little did we expect what would happen in the second half but Clach put four passed us and it was a shell-shocked set of players, management and supporters who made their way home. The team have to pick themselves up as we return to Clachnacuddin on Wednesday August 18 in the North of Scotland Cup.
Ethan Cairns, James Fraser and Chris Innes.
August 18 The club confirmed the signing until June 30 2022 of midfielder James Fraser and defender Chris Innes. Tonight a visit again to Clachnacuddin this time in the North of Scotland Cup for a place in the semi final and what an outcome. With the best performance of the season so far we celebrated a 4-0 win thanks to first half goals from Cameron Lisle, Kris Duncan and James McShane and in the second half a late penalty from Andrew Skinner. Rothes FC at home await us for a place in the final. It was a really good night for everyone connected with the Jags.
Goalmouth action featuring Kris Duncan v Lossiemouth
August 21 The team form continues to impress with another good home performance against Lossiemouth on what was the Press and Journal’s selection as their weekly ‘Big Match’. We were deserved winners by 3-1 with goals from Jake Thomson and a brace from Craig MacKenzie. It was our first league win of the season and took us up to tenth place after five games.
Craig’s second goal, The Jag’s third v Lossiemouth.
August 25 A long mid-week journey to Turriff saw the team 3-0 up with twenty minutes to go in damp and rainy conditions only to be pegged back by a Turriff fightback. The Jags goals came via two penalties converted by Andrew Skinner and James McShane.
August 28 A fine sunny and warm day at Seafield Park greeted both teams before a decent attendance in what was a keenly fought contest. Keith ran out 2-0 winners with goals in each half. It was a disappointing end to a difficult week. We are all looking forward to the North of Scotland Cup semi-final on Wednesday at home to Rothes. The winners will play either Brora Rangers or Lossiemouth in the final.
August 30 News story from our main sponsors McGowans featuring the Jags home and away shirts used by their team in the weekend’s Loch Ness Beast Race
Stop Press…The result of Wednesday evening’s semi-final was a 4-1 defeat. It wasn’t our night……….
Unfortunately, the game against Keith FC at home last Saturday was again a wee disappointing….. a bit black and white …..but onwards and upwards.
Recent game v Forres…
We have two games this week – a North of Scotland Cup Semi-Final against Rothes FC at Seafield Park and a Breedon Highland League encounter with Deveronvale at the Princess Royal Park in Banff.
Tomorrow nights game against Rothes FC ( Wednesday 1st Sept) promises to be a tough one for Charlie and the boys with a place in the North of Scotland Cup final in October for the winner. We would like to offer a very warm welcome to the players and management of Rothes who also usually bring a large and vociferous following which always makes the atmosphere, especially under the floodlights, something to savour. The game will be decided tomorrow night as there will be penalties if the teams are level after ninety minutes. The game kicks off at 8pm and there will be catering available from 7.30pm. Enjoy the game and stay safe.
The game in Banff against Deveronvale kicks off at the usual Saturday afternoon time of 3pm in the regal surroundings of the Princess Royal Park (56 Airlie Gardens, Banff AB45 1AZ). Let’s hope we can add another three points to our league tally. Enjoy the game and stay safe.
All the best to Charlie and the team for this week.
This year seems to have flown by, especially, when on Sunday just before our own Lottery draw, there was the draw at the Scottish Football Association for the first round of the Scottish Cup. Perhaps setting our sights on a final at Hampden may be a bit far fetched but we can dream. Firstly, we have to overcome Nairn County FC when we visit Station Park, Nairn on the Saturday 18 September – there’s always a great buzz around the grounds at the start of the Scottish Cup…where is the destiny this year to be….
The full draw made by Scotland’s Rugbyy Coach Gregor Townsend can be viewed here ;
Remember to spread the word to friends and family, far and wide to try the online lottery -the jackpot this week is £4600.00. Click on the lottery on top of right column >>>>>>
Multitudinous Greetings Sports Fans…Well, it turned out to be a great few days for Charlie and the boys – following on from their cup win against Clach mid-week, it was another great performance and the first three pointer of the season. We now have five points after five games and sit in tenth position.
It was a cracking game of football in front of a good crowd with Jake Thompson scoring first on 26 minutes and Craig Mackenzie, just before halftime, scoring our second direct from a corner kick. Lossie came back into the game in the second half and both teams had chances. The P&J’s man of the match Craig scored again in the 78th minute to make it three – nil. Lossiemouth’s Elliott scored in the latter stages and that’s how it finished.
We were the featured game in the Press & Journals’ The Score on Monday morning and also on the P&J Weekly Video show.
Craig MacKenzie scores to make it 3-0 against Lossiemouth
On Saturday we were also visited by Steve Pattison and his son Brody. Brody does the official vlogs for Harrogate Town FC, in England’s League Two. The family were in Scotland on holiday and chose to attend a Strathy Jags home game.
According to Steve’s posts on social media they both thoroughly enjoyed their day and are looking forward to the next time they come to Seafield Park. It was a great pleasure having them visit and we’ll keep a look out for Harrogate Town’s progress through his vlogs!
Brody’s vlog from Seafield Park is very entertaining and very watchable – surely he is destined for a position in major sports media coverage in the future.
This Saturday we welcome Lossiemouth FC to Seafield Park for what is usually a very close fought contest. Both teams had good wins in mid-week and will be looking for all three League points. Some Co-Vid restrictions will be in place for players and officials but spectators should be more or less back to as it was pre-CoVid, with the added bonus of being able to buy a pie and a cup of tea as the catering outlet reopens. But, as ever if you are attending the game stay safe and enjoy.
As mentioned we had a very good 4-0 win in the North of Scotland Cup tie against Clach at Grant Street in Inverness on Wednesday night with goals from Cammy Lisle, Kris Duncan, James McShane and Andrew Skinner finishing the scoring with an 85th minute penalty.
Andrew Skinner
As ever thanks to all who attended the annual Golf Day – players, sponsors, friends – I think everyone had a very enjoyable day and raised money for the Club in so doing ….and hopefully some of the people I spoke to were going to sign up for the Club online lottery – I hope they did…..if not please click on the Lottery Logo…page top right>>>>>>>>
Well, after a disappointing visit to Grant Street, we are back there on Wednesday night (17 August) to play Inverness Clachnacuddin in the first round of the Highland League Cup. In last Friday’s league game, the Jags were one up at half-time but another below-par performance in the second half cost us the three points again.
Winners, LtoR : Ally Hogg, John Tulloch and Louie Stewart – David Morrison unfortunately had left before the presentations.
Speaking of below par performances that was what was required to win at our annual golf day. This year it was played at Craggan Golf Course on the outskirts of Grantown – the fifth hole runs parallel to the construction site of the brand new Cairn Distillery. The overall winners were John Tulloch, Ally Hogg, David Morrison and Louis Stewart and the Women’s Team prize went to the ladies sponsored by John Ross Funeral Services
Ladies Team winners L to R – Nicola Torrance, Daphne Ritchie, Team Sponsor Nikki Ross-Grant, Maggie Lawson and Debbie Kinnaird.Craggan Outdoors Keith Ballham ( right ) with Mike MunroGrantown Diner’s Jon keeping everyone fed.
From the feedback we’ve received so far everyone had a very enjoyable day – and everyone is already looking forward to the Strathspey Thistle Golf Day 2022.
After a disappointing second half at Forres we are on the road again – this time to Inverness and a Breedon Highland League match with Clach on Friday, yes Friday night – kick off 8pm.
This is because our annual Strathspey Thistle Golf Tournament takes place on Saturday (14th August) at the Craggan Outdoors golf course which is being sponsored by The Royal Fish Bar, Grantown.
From a previous Strathspey Thistle Golf Day at Craggan photo D Grant
There are three tee times 9am, 12noon and 3pm and the full complement of twenty seven teams of four have entered – thanks to all those who have. Please be there at least half an hour before your tee time to collect your cards etc and give yourself time to make your way to your designated tee for the shotgun start.
Thanks also to Keith Ballam and Craggan Outdoors for offering the use of their facilities for this event.
We hope all competitors enjoy themselves and on the day catering will be by, one of our main sponsors, The Grantown Diner.
Back on the playing side of things this week we signed Ethan Cairns, a striker, on a loan deal from ICTFC.
The Club are delighted to get the loan signing of Ethan over the line. For the time being Ethan will be with us until January. We would like to thank ICTFC for their professionalism and support in getting this deal done.
Welcome to Strathspey Thistle Ethan.
AND….remember the Weekly Lottery is available online too, see >>>>>>>
July 6 Important milestone tonight with our first pre-season friendly and at home on our pitch, which had extensive work done over the summer, against a full strength Elgin City FC. We gave a good account of ourselves but went down 2-1 to a goal in the 89th minute. James McShane scored our goal and we received compliments on how the pitch played. No spectators were allowed and social distancing was observed.
July 7 All players and team management being tested three times a week through the lateral flow system. The club announced the season ticket prices for the new season. £100 for adults and £50 for concessions (60+ and under 12). Supervised under 12s are free.
July 8 Visited SJFA side Dufftown, some say the whisky capital of the world, for our second friendly. Jags 3 up on 30 minutes and playing well and in what turned out to be an interesting and feisty game which finished in the dark and the rain at 5-5.
July 9 Another road trip this time to SJFA North Region division 2 side Islavale FC from Keith. Another competitive game which finished 3-2 to the Jags. Game time important at this time of the pre-season.
July 13 A beautiful summer evening at Mackessack Park, Rothes was the setting for another friendly. The Jags played well but went down 2-1. James McShane scored our goal on 87 minutes from a free kick. We played five triallists through the ninety minutes. Rothes were able to field two different sides.
July 17 Another warm sunny day but with strong gusts of wind saw The Jags play their last friendly before the season opens on July 24 with a home game with Forres Mechanics. In another competitive game the Jags came out winners through a Jake Thompson first half goal. Charlie and his team now spend the week preparing the players for the season opener at Christie Park, Huntly.
July 20 The club now has seventeen signed players for the new season with Stephen Rennie, Jordan Wardrope, Jake Thomson and Kris Duncan all signing for this season. We expect further additions to the squad. Jake is with us on loan from Elgin City for the whole of this season. Stephen was with Caley Thistle from 2008 to 2017 and was with us last season. Jordan has played with us before and also had two seasons with Forres Mechanics. Kris is a very experienced forward having played with a number of Highland League clubs and has also joined the coaching staff.
July 22 Notified by NOSFA Secretary that Golspie Sutherland have withdrawn from the North of Scotland Cup tie with us at Seafield Park on Wednesday July28 because of Covid-19. The tie is awarded to us which means we visit Inverness Clachnacuddin on Wednesday August 18. Time TBC.
July 24 The big day. A beautiful summer’s day with blue sky. 24 degree temperature and expectancy, and we were not disappointed. The Jags led after 16 minutes thanks to a superb strike from twenty yards by Kieran Chalmers. The team settled well as the game went on but were disappointed to concede the equaliser right at the start of the second half. The heat and playing on a rock hard pitch didn’t help the flow and at the end a draw was a good result.
Click on the above to go direct to the lottery play area….
July 26 Today is also a milestone for the club with our weekly lottery going online via the club website. Our paper lottery for Grantown, Carrbridge, Aviemore and Kinguissie remains unchanged. The lottery is our biggest source of income so please participate as every little helps. First draw with online contribution will be August 1 and for every week after that.
July 27 Fort William will play all their Highland League and Highland League Cup matches away from home this season as Claggan Park is currently unplayable. After a league inspection on Thursday at the ground found it not fit and in need of immediate work. An emergency meeting on Sunday of the League Management Committee agreed of the Fort having to play away. The league clubs have offered to pass on the travel costs they would normally have to pay for a fixture at Claggan Park and Fort William have started a crowd funder to assist with costs.
A minutes silence for Rothes FC Secretary Garry Davies, Seafield Park 31.07.21
July 28 Announced today the passing of Garry Davies the Secretary of Rothes FC. We were speaking a couple of weeks ago at our friendly fixture in Rothes and he has been a help to me over the last couple of seasons which I appreciated. Shocked and saddened.
July 30 Donate-a-Ticket announced that this would be their last weekend as a fund raiser. Since the first Covid-related disruption in March 2020 they have sold 40,000 virtual tickets and raised £330,000 for over one hundred and twenty league clubs. For those Highland League clubs that took part the total raised for them was £32906. All of this at no charge.
July 31 Today saw the return of league football to Seafield Park with the visitors being Wick Academy. Our last league game was on March 7 2020. The Jags and Wick fought out a very entertaining 3-3 draw. Our goals from Craig MacKenzie, Jake Thomson and a superb freekick from Kieran Chalmers. A good performance and a deserved point against a strong side.
