Author: Stewart

HOME GAME v BUCKIE THISTLE FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 2023 – KO 3pm

This week we welcome last year’s league runners-up, Buckie Thistle, who have in their ranks two local lads. Grantown’s Sam Morrison who recently returned to his parent club after a loan spell with Clach, and prolific goal scorer Aviemore’s Josh Peters. 
Winning both games against us last season, one quite heftily, we are hoping that our form this season, although admittedly variable, will stand us in good stead and provide the fans from both sides at Seafield Park a good and exciting game of football. 
As Buckie are again currently in second place in the league it will not an easy task by any means.
As usual we expect a fair entourage of Buckie supporters and look forward to welcoming them to Grantown and if any have not been here before or wanting a refresher of the facilities click HERE and enjoy the game.
Safe journey here and back and hopefully the weather will behave and not be a cruel as is the forecast.

MATCH v ROTHES – WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2023
There is something magical about a football match under the floodlights especially if the weather is good!

As ever we started slowly and found ourselves one down in eleven minutes from an own goal by Jack Gilliland, who unfortunately could not get out of the way quick enough and the ball rebounded into the net. We created one or two chances after this but in the thirty second minute – controversy – did the ball cross the goal line or not – the linesman thought so – and to be fair one or two others who had a good view did as well – so we were two-down and two minutes later after a right good goal mouth bagatelle scramble three down which it remained until half time.

I don’t know what manager Rob said at half time but it worked. A slight change in formation seemed to suit the boys a lot better and in the first minute of the second half the Jag’s Mike Mackenzie headed home a beauty. We started putting the Rothes defence under severe pressure and came close three times – this was possibly the best the home support, which was very good for a Wednesday, had seen The Jags play for a long time. We were unfortunate to lose another goal in the eighty third minute but Jack Mackay pulled one back two minutes later with a slightly deflected lob. 

Although we lost the match 4-1 we won the second half 2-1 – and much promise for the games to come.

YOUTUBE FOOTY ADVENTURES

Attending the game was Sam North whose YouTube channel Footy Adventures is an excellent watch – subscribe……..

Although he titles his visit to Grantown “The Pointless Club” – which I thought was going to be a bit of a hatchet job – but it turned into a really affectionate blog about visiting Grantown and Strathspey Thistle and his thoughts and experiences at last Wednesday nights game against Rothes – please watch it, you’ll really enjoy it – Thanks Sam.

TO WATCH CLICK HERE : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmtQZ_cjb0A

Sam wants to come back for an afternoon game and we look forward to seeing him again.

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BACK TO FORKING

So the beauty with away games is there is no pitch maintenance involved by ourselves, but now with home games aplenty if anyone has a couple of hours to spare it would be very much appreciated…usually it is a Tuesday morning at 10am after a Saturday game, and a Thursday morning after a midweek Wednesday fixture, same time 10am.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Just a wee reminder that we will soon be moving in November to a 2pm kick off – the next couple of home games in October are still 3pm.
Our visit to Inverness for our game against Clachnacuddin on 18 November is now also a 2pm kick off. 
Also if you had planned travelling to Fraserburgh on Dec 2 – don’t! 
Fraserburgh are involved in the League Cup Final so the game has been postponed.

LOTTERY
As ever we conclude this weeks meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £2900 from our online fundraising lottery – click HERE if you want to play….

HOME GAME v ROTHES FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2023 – KO 8pm

The floodlights are on and we welcome players, committee and supporters of Rothes FC to Seafield Park on Wednesday night.
As midweek matches go, this is one that should enable more supporters to come along as opposed to some of the more further away fixtures – and hopefully we will hear some of the League’s more vocal fans and some good old fitba’ banter that we normally expect when Rothes come to town.
Rothes are currently sitting in tenth position in the league with thirteen points so again, it’s going to be a tough game for us, but hopefully the Jags will put in a stellar performance and can earn our first points of the season.

If any of the Rothes fans haven’t made the trip to Seafield Park before click here for more information about Grantown – and as it is a midweek game there will be parking available in the neighbouring Golf Club car park – our thanks to the Golf Club for allowing this.

LAST SATURDAY v INVERURIE

Pouring and incessant rain in the build up to our visit to Inverurie, and with match postponements aplenty around Scotland, we thought that Saturday’s match would be in jeopardy. But when the Jags contingent arrived at Harlaw Park they were very impressed with the condition of the pitch….so must have been the home team as it took them only three minutes to open the scoring, doubling their tally before half time and adding a further three goals in the second half – again some defensive mistakes didn’t help our cause.

Hopefully with more home fixtures over the next few weeks we will manage to eliminate the mistakes and can pick up some much needed points – that’s seven league games we have played now – six away from home – someone on the Highland League FB page was wondering if we had a home ground !!!!

OCTOBER GAMES
We don’t have a game this Saturday (14th) so our next games are also both home fixtures. Firstly at home to Buckie Thistle on Saturday 21st and then Lossiemouth on Saturday 28th so hopefully we will see you at Seafield Park…..three home games in a row……

NEW CLUB MERCHANDISE
The last home game against Fraserburgh match also saw the following items with the 30^th season anniversary logo go on sale for the first time – made by www.thehighlandcoo.com.
If you want to place an order please contact our Commercial Manager Rob A. Clark directly on stfcprogramme@gmail.com and he will get in touch with further details.

The photo shows L to R – photo slate (20.7cm x 20.7cm) £30.00, the coaster (11cm x 11cm) £10.00and the coffee mug £10.00.

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PREMIER STORES
We wish Arul and everyone at Premier all the best with their new store in Nethy Bridge which opened last Friday.

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LOTTERY 
As there will be no further posts until next Tuesday if you wish the play our online fundraising lottery with the possibility of winning this week’s jackpot of £2800 – you can…. and for more details click here

AND MY SINCERE APOLOGIES GO TO……….
I have to apologise for not mentioning in our FaceBook post of thanks, Sandra Willox who helped cover the front door for over three hours at last weeks successful fundraising dance in the RBL Grantown  –  oops, sorry Sandra…..

AWAY MATCH v INVERURIE LOCO WORKS FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
HARLAW PARK, INVERURIE, AB51 6AN
SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023, KO – 3pm

After another weekend with nae fitba’ we’re on the road to Inverurie and Harlow Park – home of Inverurie Locos Works FC. 
Although formed in 1902, it was 2001 before they gained entry to the Highland League so there is a lot of history from the formation by a group of Great North of Scotland Railway workers in a meeting in the Railway Works Hall at the start of the last century until one hundred and twenty one years later. 
The Locos are not having the best of seasons culminating last month in dispensing with the services of managerAndy Low, so they will be looking to keep all three points in the home locker but the Jags have been improving their performances weekly – the final scores may show differently – but we have played most of the top-seeded teams in the league, and mainly away from home, so, hopefully this Saturday everything clicks and we leave Inverurie with the three points.
Unfortunately injury will keep captain James McShane on the sidelines again this week but everyone is raring to go and we wish Robert and the boys all the best in this very important fixture. With the Locos lying one point and one place ahead of us in the league all rails lead to Harlaw Park 3pm Saturday!!!

LAST SATURDAY’S WICK GAME

Or….last Saturday’s non-game. 

Unfortunately due to a road accident on the A9 near Brora which closed the road in both directions, the Wick Academy FC bus  could not complete the journey to Grantown – then began a rapid operation in trying to inform all supporters of both teams that the game was off.
There were a few who did arrive at the gate who did not hear or read about the postponement. They were gracious in accepting the news and two ground hoppers from Aberdeen were offered a tour of the ground which possibly slightly helped in their disappointment.
As yet, there has been no date confirmed for when the match will be played.

FUNDRAISING DANCE

Strathspey Thistle Football Club would like to thank everyone who attended the fundraising dance in the Legion in Grantown last Saturday night- 30 Sept.

Thank you for buying a ticket and making it a fantastic evening.

Special thanks go to K and the Pupils – Kirsten, Brooksie, Duncan, Andrew, Colin, Marcus and Fraser – for a blistering night of great music and to Gina Smith for starting the evening off brilliantly and also a guest appearance on moothie- Geordie Bain.
Thank you.

We would also like to thank the Legion for hosting the dance with Ewan, Graeme and Sandra looking after door, and the bar staff – Rob, Dan and Stephen who put in a very busy shift . 

We hope you had a great night – and, hopefully, here’s to the next time…..

LOTTERY

As ever as we finish we ask if you would like to take part in our weekly lottery fundraiser – please click here for more details in how to win £2700…..

REMEMBER WE HOST ROTHES FC IN A BREEDON HIGHLAND LEGUE AT SEAFIELD PARK NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 8pm.

Substitution
Regular readers of the monthly Strathspey Thistle FC Newsletter will notice a slight difference to the style and layout for the next few months. Club Secretary Clive Wolstenholme has asked me – Club Commercial Manager Rob A. Clark to take over the task of keeping you informed about the club.  Clive has set a high benchmark to keep up, but I hope my years as match reporter and programme editor will make sure you find this both engaging and informative. 

2^nd: Breedon Highland League – vs. Nairn County away 
Strathspey Thistle travelled to Station Park home of local rivals Nairn County keen to put the disappointment of the midweek cup defeat behind them. In bright sunshine Strathspey Thistle had the best of the pressure in the goal less first half, however all their good play was undone after the first minute of the second half when the home side took the lead. Nairn County went on win the match 4-1 with the Strathspey Thistle consolation goal being scored by Michael Mackenzie in the second minute of injury time. 

3^rd: Scottish Gas Scottish Cup – 1^st round draw                         
The following evening Strathspey Thistle Management Committee and Players attention turned to social media to learn the outcome of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup 1^st round draw made by former Scotland International Goalkeeper Craig Gordon.  The draw handed Strathspey Thistle with a 181 miles journey to the borders to play against Gala Fairydean Rovers of the Lowlands League with the tie to be played on the 23^rd of September.

4^th: Sponsored Dugouts                                               
Since last season MKM Building Suppliers based in Aviemore have had their logo on the back of the home and away shirts and now their branding and logo can be seen on both the home and away dugouts at Seafield Park and very smart it looks too! 

pictured  L to R : MKM’s Marty Wares and Steve McRitchie, Strathspey Thistle chairman Donly McLeod and MKM’s Alan Carson

9^th: GPH BUILDER’S MERCHANTS Highland League Cup
Quarter-Final vs Fraserburgh
After our victory at Lossiemouth a couple of weeks ago, the quarter-final draw gave us a home match against Fraserburgh FC. With our friends from the Dulnain Bridge Garage enjoying the full Jags hospitality which included a fish and chip supper which was supplied by the Royal Fish Bar. Although we lost 3-1 the home crowd were happy with some good play. We held our own throughout the first half even though we lost a goal in the 20^th minute, but the main concern was that captain James McShane had to leave the field with an ankle injury. The visitors doubled their lead in the 57^th minute though a penalty and then a second again two minutes later to go 3-0 in front however Daniel Whitehorn headed home a great goal for us in the 73^rd minute and there were some tense moments in both goalmouths including us hitting the bar in the closing minutes.
A good match and we wish Fraserburgh all the best in the semi-final.   

                                                                             

Player of the Match, Liam Grant was chosen by Dulnain Bridge Garage
as shown above Liam, centre, is pictured with Connor Clark and his Grandfather Duncan Clark.  

 Club Merchandise
The Fraserburgh match also saw the following items made by www.thehighlandcoo.com with 30^th season anniversary logo go on sale for the first time, should anyone reading this want to place an order please contact me directly on stfcprogramme@gmail.com and I will get in touch with further details;

Coffee Mug; £10   Coaster (11cm x 11cm); £10  Photo Slate (20.7cm x 20.7cm) £30

SITUATIONS VACANT

Strathspey Thistle has two roles currently vacant and would like to hear from anyone who is interested in either; please in the first instance contact me via stfcprogramme@gmail.com or text message me / call my mobile; 07803307455

14^th: New Signing: KANE DAVIES SIGNS:                                                    
We can confirm we have signed Kane Davies from Forres Mechanics on an initial 1-year deal.
From the manager Robert MacCormack “I’m Delighted to manage to bring Kane back to the club after a lot of interest in him. Another local player that will come in and make the squad stronger which is exactly what we are looking to do. We want the best local players here and he is certainly one of them. He’s an experienced Highland League player and will bring that much needed experience to the squad. I’m looking forward to working with Kane and I’m confident he will be a great signing for us.”

16^th: Breedon Highland League – vs. Brechin City away
Well we were back on the road one of our longest journeys of the season in the league fixture list – eighty two miles over hill and dale arriving at Brechin in rural Angus.
The match would have been difficult enough with our full squad available but with injuries and players having to work we were missing no fewer than five that did so well the week before.
We were 4-0 down at half time but a slightly better second half saw only one more goal conceded in a 5-0 defeat.

23^rd: Scottish Gas Scottish Cup 1^st Round – vs. Gala Fairydean Rovers away

Strathspey Thistle players, management and committee members had an early start with some catching the team bus just after 8am and picking up others on route south for the journey.
We stopped for breakfast at Bankfoot Services just before Perth before completing the 193miles arriving in Galashiels just before 1.30pm and all were made immediately welcome.
The match saw us play some of our best football of the season for the opening 20 minutes and goals by Kane Davies and Mike Mackenzie put us 2-0 in front and it could have easily been more.
However, before half-time a mixture of poor defending, injuries to both our ‘keeper Steve Martin and captain James McShane and good goals, saw the home side lead 5-2! The final score ended 8-2

25^th: Kick-Off Time Changes!

Please note that the following visitors to Seafield Park have agreed to a 2pm kick off: 

Deveronvale Saturday 11^th of November
Turriff United Saturday 25^th November
Forres Mechanics 09^th December
Brora Rangers 30^th December            

2024              
Nairn County 13^th January
Brechin City 27^th JanuaryI
Inverurie Loco Works 17^th February
Keith 09^th March

30^th: Unfortunately because of a serious accident on the A9 between Brora and Golspie, the team coach of Wick Academy was unable to continue it’s journey to Grantown-on-Spey for the Highland League fixture and the decision was taken to postpone the fixture. 

30^th: Fund raising event sold out

The evening of the 30^th of September saw Strathspey Thistle Players, Management and some committee members in attendance in the Royal British Legion Scotland – Strathspey Clubrooms in Grantown-on-Spey for a fund raising evening with local rock band “K & The Pupils” with lead singer Iain Brooks being a former Strathspey Thistle player.
Many former players were in attendance too and it was a huge success, special mention to committee member Graeme Stuart who was doorman for the whole evening.

Our game today at Seafield Park in the Breedon Highland League against Wick Academy has been postponed. This is due to a very serious road accident on the A9 between Golspie and Brora and unfortunately the road is blocked in both directions – the accident does not involve the Wick team bus but has prevented it from making the journey to Grantown.

HOME GAME v WICK ACADEMY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 – KO 3pm

This Saturday we welcome Wick Academy FC – players, management and supporters – to Seafield Park for a Breedon Highland League match, kick off is 3pm. 
Wick, who currently are in fourteenth position in the league with four points, will want to make the best of the long journey south but The Jags will be doing their utmost to prevent the Scorries from earning any points and will be hoping a return to the form of a couple of weeks ago will confirm that.
Hopefully returning from injury, will be Iain Ross, Ross Logan and defender Taylor Sutherland. Keeper Steven Martin may have recovered as well from his knock received in last week’s cup tie in Galashiels – however captain James McShane remains doubtful after playing one half in Galashiels.
If any of our friends from Wick want to know a wee bit more about what’s available in Grantown please click here…

IMPORTANT CHANGE OF DATE
We were supposed to host Lossiemouth in a Breedon Highland League match this Wednesday night ( 4th October) under the floodlights but both clubs have preferred a Saturday fixture so, as we are both no longer in the Scottish Cup, the Lossie game will now be played on Saturday 28 October – KO 3pm.

FUND RAISING DANCE SOLD OUT

Guitarist/vocalist Iain Brooks, legend of many a Welfare, Junior and Highland League campaign, will be fronting the beat combo K and The Pupils at Saturday night’s Jags fundraising gig at the Legion in Grantown. They are one of the North’s most exciting new bands and have been playing to rave notices over the past year……tickets were like gold dust …hope you managed to get yours….it should be a cracker of a night. 
STFC would like to thank the band and The Legion staff helping to raise funds for the Club.

SCOTTISH CUP EXIT
Well, the 350 mile round trip to Galashiels was dotted with highlights and unfortunately deep troughs…..

Setting off, hats at a jaunty angle, the bus stopped at A Taste of Perthshire in Bankfoot , where we were treated as kings – our thanks go to them. 

The bus then continued to Galashiels and although the weather greeting us on our arrival was misty and murky, the welcome the committee and players received was very warm indeed and much appreciated.

In fact John Collins, mentioned in last weeks post, joined his brother who is involved with Gala, in being part of the Gala Fairydean Rovers welcoming committee in looking after us.

Gifts were exchanged and the match commenced : and, according to the Jags fans and committee present, they reckoned it was the best twenty minutes we have played for a long, long time and were two up with goals from Kane Davies in the fifteenth minute and Mike Mackenzie in the twentieth. We also missed a couple of very good chances during this period too…..

However the deep trough began to open five minutes later when Gala scored, and scored…and scored…finishing the match the winners by 8-2…..the whole outcome was a complete mystery to both Jags supporters and management.  

It was a long and winding road home – the Scottish Cup over for another year.

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JAGS STAFFORDSHIRE SUPPORTERS CLUB
On 25/9/23, committee member Graeme Stuart had a pleasant encounter in Grantown with this trio of visiting Jags supporters. They remembered him from a match at Seafield Park which they thoroughly enjoyed, so much so that there is now a colony of supporters in Staffordshire!
In the picture, Paul and Andy proudly show off their tattoos of the STFC club crest. We thank them for their support and very much look forward to their next visit to Seafield Park.

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DIARY DATES – 2PM KICK OFFS AT SEAFIELD PARK OVER THE WINTER MONTHS
Please note that the following home games in November, December, January, February and March will have 2pm kick-offs.
Deveronvale 11/11, Turriff 25/11, Forres 9/12, Brora 30/12, Nairn 13/01, Brechin 27/01, Inverurie Locos 17/02 and Keith 9/03.
There may be another but Jags social media will keep you informed.
It would probably be an idea to check kick-off times for our away matches too as I am sure other teams in the League will be bringing their kick-offs forward too.

LOTTERY
As is our usual signing off for this week, we offer you a chance to win the jackpot of £2600 in our weekly fundraising Lottery…click here for details of how to play.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK – I’M OFF TO FIND MY DANCING SHOES……..

AWAY MATCH v GALAFAIRYDEAN ROVERS
SCOTTISH GAS SCOTTISH CUP ROUND 1
NETHERDALE, GALASHIELS, TD1 3HE
SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2023 – KO 3pm

We started last week’s post with the statement that Brechin was one of our longest trips of the season – but that pales into insignificance – this week is a whopping 350 mile round trip to Galashiels and a meeting in the Scottish Cup at Netherdale against Gala Fairydean Rovers.
As the above photograph of Sir Walter Scott’s View, the Scottish Borders is a beautiful part of Scotland and Galashiels is possibly more famous as a rugby town. It is the birthplace of current Scotland Rugby coach Gregor Townsend but is also the birthplace of John Collins the former Hibs manager, who as well being capped for Scotland at football over fifty times, and played for teams such as Hibs, Celtic, AS Monaco and Everton.
Gala Fairydean FC, are a team that had an illustrious history winning many trophies since their foundation in 1894, and merged with Gala Rovers in 2013 gaining admittance to the newly formed Lowland Football League as Gala Faiydean Rovers.
The stand at Netherdale was designed by the renowned architect Peter Wormersley built in the “Brutalist Style” It is a Category A listed building and was opened in 1965.

Robert and the team are very much looking forward to the day and revelling in the excitement that is the Scottish Cup. We wish them all the best in what is a step into the unknown, hopefully not “brutal” but a right good enjoyable game of football – and there will be no replay – extra time and penalties will decide the outcome –  and as we always say you never know what is going to happen in a football match….hopefully a home tie in the second round.

KANE DAVIES
A couple of days before the Brechin game we re-signed local lad Kane Davies from Forres Mechanics
Manager Robert had this to say about our latest acquisition.
“I’m delighted to manage to bring Kane back to the club after a lot of interest in him. Another local player that will come in and make the squad stronger which is exactly what we are looking to do. We want the best local players here and he is certainly one of them” 
“He’s an experienced Highland League player and will bring that much needed experience to the squad. I’m looking forward to working with Kane and I’m confident he will be a great signing for us.”

BRECHIN LAST WEEK

Unfortunately it was a tough afternoon in the Brechin sunshine last Saturday. We were missing through injury, captain James McShane, Ross Logan and Liam Grant plus one or two others who were unable to make it to Brechin – hopefully there will be a larger squad available to manager Rob in Galashiels.
We were four down to the current league title holders by the interval but a great response in the second half saw us back in the game which finished 5-0. 
We have now played six of the top eleven teams – five away from home and we commence a home “heavy’ list of fixtures over the next few weeks.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Our home games commence on the 30 Sept with a visit from Wick Academy followed four days later (Oct 4) by Lossiemouth – we then travel to Inverurie on the Saturday followed by a visit from Rothes (Wed 11 Oct) – there is no game on Saturday 12 Oct – and we are back in action with another home game against Buckie Thistle on Sat 21 Oct.

………AND DON’T FORGET OUR FUNDRAISING DANCE

A week Saturday, (30 Sept), K and the Pupils plus guests will be rockin’ the Legion’s foundations in Grantown. Music starts about 9pm and tickets are selling like hot cakes so contact The Legion in Grantown to get yours – cost is £10 each – The Legion are operating a cash only ticket sale.
We look forward to seeing you there – hopefully after our first home win of the season and three points bagged in the league……

LOTTERY

As is the usual custom we end with offering you a winning jackpot of £2500 from our online fundraising lottery – play here for a chance to win….thanks very much….

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK WHEN IT’S BACK TO LEAGUE BUSINESS AND WE’RE AT HOME TO WICK ACADEMY FC

AWAY MATCH v BRECHIN CITY FC
BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
GLEBE PARK, TRINITY ROAD, BRECHIN
SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER – KO 3pm

Well ….we’re back on the road and this week is one of our longest journeys of the year – eighty two miles over hill and dale arriving at Brechin in rural Angus.
And……at the end of the road our Breedon Highland League match with last years champions – Brechin City. In our first visit a couple of years ago we managed to breach Brechin’s defence three times, which was more than any club did that season…but we unfortunately lost the match 7-3…
Of course, Glebe Park is the only senior football ground in Europe which has a hedge along one of its perimeters, hence the club’s nickname The Hedgemen. 
Currently sitting in third place in the league and with a game in hand, we are expecting a very difficult match but it would be great this season to score three again, and keeping a clean sheet into the bargain….you never know in football.

GPH BUILDER’S MERCHANTS HIGHLAND LEAGUE CUP
ROUND 2

Last Saturday we hosted Fraserburgh FC in round 2 of the GPH Builder’s Merchants Highland League Cup and although we lost 3-1 the home crowd were happy with some really good play and and a lot of effort from the Jags. 
We started well and held our own through out the first half even though losing a goal in the twentieth minute but the main concern was that defender and captain James McShane had to leave the field with an ankle injury – however Jack McKay moved from the midfield to cover. Jack had a very good half but unfortunately was caught out in fifty seven minutes and from the resultant penalty Fraserburgh doubled their lead. Fraserburgh scored again a couple of minutes later, but Daniel Whitehorn headed home a great goal for the Jags in the seventy third minute and there was some fraught moments in both goalmouths with The Jags hitting the bar in the latter stages.
Unfortunately winger Ross Logan suffered a nasty foot injury which will hopefully not keep him out of action for too long.
A good game of football which was enjoyed by a good crowd and we wish Fraserburgh all the best in the next round.

MKM DUGOUTS

The photo below shows the MKM team attending the cup game against Fraserburgh at Seafield Park and taking the time to inspect the new livery in the dugouts.

pictured  LtoR : are MKM’s Marty Wares and Steve McRitchie, Strathspey Thistle chairman Donly McLeod and MKM’s Alan Carson

HOSPITALITY AND MOTM

The above photograph shows our friends from the Dulnain Bridge Garage enjoying Jags hospitality- we thank them very much for their support and hope they enjoyed their day with us – they also were tasked with the job of choosing the Jags Man of the Match and their choice of Liam Grant was met with universal agreement.

Liam, centre, is pictured with Connor and Duncan Clark.

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TEAM PHOTO

Just before the Fraserburgh game we were, at last, able to arrange this year’s first team squad official team photograph – unfortunately not pictured were Steve Martin, Jude Fraser, Taylor Sutherland, Cairn Gilles and first team coach Robbie Flett, perhaps we may be able to a re-run when everyone is available ……

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LOTTERY

As ever we conclude this weeks meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £2400 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play…

ON THE BORDER

We’ll be back next week with all the happenings before our trip to Galashiels for our Scottish Cup first round time with Gala Fairydean Rovers.

HOME MATCH v FRASERBURGH FC
GPH BUILDER’S MERCHANTS HIGHLAND LEAGUE CUP – ROUND 2
SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY, PH26 3HY
SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2023 – KO 3pm

After our heroics at Lossiemouth a couple of weeks ago our reward is a home tie against Fraserburgh FC.
There wasn’t much for the Jags to write home about after Fraserburgh’s visit last season, so the less said about that the better – but a far better performance in Fraserburgh nearer the end of the season helped heal the wounds – slightly.
Hoping to carry on our cup form as we obviously expect an exceptionally tough match and it will continue next week when we are away to Brechin City, last year’s league champions – but you never know in football….

For any Broch supporters attending Seafield Park for the first time, or you want some information about the town, click here….and we hope you enjoy your visit…but not too much….

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TWO MATCHES 

Last week was a busy one for the Rob and the boys with a mid-week game in Forres with the next one just along the road in Nairn on the Saturday.
I congratulate all the players who were on the pitch during some horrendous downpours  on Wednesday – it was tough! 

The Jags, as usual, had a good first half and although going into the break one down, we had our chances and could have been leading. However two minutes into the second half the Can-Cans scored again….an annoying trait recently – especially after mistakes …..  and then we succumbed to another two later on in the game !! ….Everyone seemed to agree this was not a four-niller…but goals are the currency and we didn’t score.

So it was off to the drying room and to prepare for our visit to Nairn.

The weather couldn’t have been better – warm with a gentle breeze and The Jags were very much the better team in the first half not converting at least two good chances and arrived at half time with the score being 0-0.
Then…our annoying trait – two minutes into the second half we were one down, again! We then lost another goal in the seventy-third minute and the heads seemed to go down with County scoring two more goals in eighty and eighty-nine minutes – we managed a consolation goal, a nicely controlled shot from the edge of the penalty area by Mike McKenzie in the ninety-first minute – but everyone was very, very disappointed at how the second half had gone….

In both games we have competed very well, but, by not being able to take our chances in front of goal it has cost us dear.

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CUP DRAW

Sunday evening saw the draw for the first round of the Scottish Cup sponsored this year by Scottish Gas and we were the fifth match drawn by Scotland ‘keeper Craig Gordon – we were drawn away from home and our opponents are from the Lowland League – Gala Fairydean Rovers from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders – so we have a fair trek on Saturday 23 September.

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CLIVE’S FAMILY

It was first time for a long time for the Wolstenholme boys to be all at the same match at the same time – pictured in Forres are LtoR – Nick who arrived from Barcelona, Clive who stays in Aviemore and Alex currently residing in Sheffield – all are loyal Jags fans – in fact Clive is Club Secretary, Alex does the Jags Twitter feed and Nick is in charge of our Instagram output……thanks to y’all…….

SEAFIELD PARK HAPPENINGS

Continuing from the last post there was movement with the MKM dugouts  –  and as the photograph shows the Home one has just been completed and looks braw….however, at the moment there is still a perspex panel(s) issue with the Away one…but it will be completed ASAP.

LOTTERY

As ever we conclude this weeks meanderings offering you a jackpot win of £2300 on our online fundraising lottery – click here if you want to play….

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK JAGS FANS

5^th First bus ride of the new season with a visit to Harlaw Park, Pitmedden to take on Formartine United. A lovely ground with an excellent pitch. Formartine joined the Highland League the same time as we did in 2009. It is always a tough ground to get a result on and this was no different. First 33 minutes saw us keep a good shape but then conceded a sloppy goal but went in one down at half-time pleased with how the team were playing. The second forty-five was a repeat of last week’s game at Forres which was disappointing. Further goals on 58, 63 and 90 minutes made it a long journey home. Shots on goal 3, shots off 5 and 2 corners. Bookings for James McShane and Owen Paterson.
Our first home game scheduled for August 12 has been postponed as Huntly have to play a preliminary round game in the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup.

16^thAfter an eleven day break it was another away game at Dudgeon Park, Brora. A beautiful summer evening greeted our arrival for what was Brora’s first home game after they had had their pitch re-laid. It was a really positive performance by The Jags and they created a number of decent chances. A sloppy opening goal on 30 minutes for the home side was followed nine minutes later by a second for the Rangers.
We took the game to the home side and it was no surprise when Owen Loveland made it 2-1 on 71 minutes which really opened up the game with The Strathy Jags having ten minutes of pressure which so nearly became 2-2. Brora scored again on 82 minutes but that was not a fair reflection of the game. So many positives to take for the journey home on what was an excellent team performance. If only we can cut out the defensive errors. 

Team: Steven Martin (GK); Owen Patterson, Taylor Sutherland, James McShane (c), William Urquhart, Alan Kerr, Joe Cuthbert, Jack Mackay, Jack Davison, Ross Logan, Michael McKenzie –  Subs used: Iain Ross, Cairn Giles, Owen Loveland.

19^thThe positive vibes at the club soon changed when four of the first team developed flu symptoms during Friday and Saturday morning and the club could only field 13 players for the league visit of Banks O’ Dee to Seafield Park.
Missing were Michael Mackenzie, Jack Davison, Taylor Sutherland and Seamus McGonaghy. 

(A recent aerial view of Seafield Park)

Two of the starting eleven were not feeling a hundred percent when ‘The Strathy Jags’ took to the pitch and it didn’t help matters to concede a very poor goal in under a minute and a second on ten minutes. Half time was reached four down but there was an improvement in the second half with the final score 6-0. 

Team: Steven Martin (GK); Owen Patterson, Jack Gilliland, William Urquhart, Alan Kerr, Joe Cuthbert, Jack Mackay, Ian Ross, Ross Logan, Owen Loveland – Subs used; Liam Grant, Caelen Mutch.

Details above of a fundraising social event coming up soon

26^thCup football today and a visit to Lossiemouth for the Highland League Cup. 
A sunny and warm afternoon greeted both teams and in a close game ‘The Strathy Jags’ recorded their first win of the season through a penalty converted by Owen Paterson in the 87^th minute. This was the best 90 minute performance from the team so far this season and let us hope that this a sign of progress for the games ahead.  

Team: Steve Martin (GK); Owen Patterson, Caelen Mutch, James McShane, Alan Kerr, Joe Cuthbert, Jack Mackay, Jack Davison, Ross Logan, Iain Ross, Michael MacKenzie – Subs used; Seamus McGonaghy, Owen Loveland, William Urquhart.

30^th More knockout football and, in difficult conditions, the Jags were beaten 4-0 by Forres Mechanics in the North of Scotland Cup at Mosset Park, Forres.
A tight first-half saw the home side take the lead shortly before half-time and a second goal soon after the break put them in command although two further strikes put an unfair gloss on the final scoreline.

Team: Ruaridhri Nicol (GK); Owen Patterson, Liam Grant, Allan Kerr, Owen Loveland, James McShane (c), Jack Davison, Jack McKay, Seamus McConachy, Joe Cuthbert, Michael McKenzie – Subs used; Caelan Mutch, Iain Ross, Ross Logan, Daniel Whitehorn

September Home Games

Saturday 9^th : Fraserburgh (Highland League Cup)
Saturday 30^th : Wick Academy