January 1 Welcome to the second year of the newsletter and a happy New Year to everyone. It has got underway with the news that our game on Monday January 3 at Lossiemouth has been postponed due to a Covid outbreak amongst the players and staff at Lossie. We wish them all well.
January 3 All bar two of the games in the Breedon Highland League were postponed due to Covid, the games that went ahead were at The Haughs Turriff who lost 3-2 to Wick Academy and a thriller at Glebe Park, Brechin. The league leaders Fraserburgh were in town and were 3 goals down in the opening 20 minutes before a remarkable turnaround when The Broch pulled back to 3-3 on 87 minutes before goals on 93 and 96 minutes kept them top of the table by five points from Inveruries Locos. What an advert for the league.
January 4 The Club announced that 17-year-old forward Ethan Cairns has been recalled by Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Co-Vid call offs and the weather meant he was never able to get a good run in the team and we wish him all the best in the future.
Dylan Lawrence, a young striker from Elgin City has joined us on a twelve-month loan. Heavy snow and freezing temperatures overnight have already put Saturday’s six-pointer with Turriff United in doubt, with the worry of Covid in the background.
January 6 A further inspection of the pitch and surrounding area were made, and it was decided to call off the game with Turriff. This allowed league secretary Rod Houston to arrange for Turriff to play Inverurie Locos at The Haughs on Saturday in a Breedon Highland League fixture.
January 8 Where there is a will there is hopefully a way but alas the re-arranged game at The Haughs fell to a combination of snow, frost and Covid. Preparations now begin for the Jags next game, which is at Kynoch Park Keith on Saturday January 15. The weather forecast looks a bit more promising over the next seven days with milder air moving into the region. It is 28 days since our last game at Wick.
January 13 With the weather remaining mild and snow and frost the players had a change of training scenery when they had a training session last Saturday at Nairn beach. A nearly full squad are available for selection for the visit to Keith.
January 15 Another disappointing performance from the Jags as Keith celebrated their 1,200th Highland League win comfortably 5-1. A goal down in twenty minutes, Strathspey played their way back into the game with a neat finish from Craig MacKenzie on 30 minutes. That was the best it was for the Jags as the Maroons took complete control for the rest of the game. Charlie Brown had no excuses and was frustrated at the lack of passion from the players.
January 20 Team manager Charlie Brown has emphasised to the players that the defensive mistakes in recent games is costing them points and goals as the season moves into the last three months when points and wins are needed to consolidate league positions. Over the last six days in the Strathspey area the weather has remained mild for this time of the year and the club are very hopeful that Saturday’s visit of Deveronvale will go ahead. The pitch is inspected and worked on most days.
January 22 At last some good news and of more importance our first point since the win over Fort William back on October 6 last year. Deveronvale took the lead on forty four minutes through another defensive mix up and we all thought here we go again but credit to team for their very good second half performance. The Jags hit the woodwork with a free kick from James McShane midway through the first half.
As the second half unfolded the Jags continued to push for the equaliser and it came in injury time through Kris Duncan assisted by Joe Cuthbert. The result has given everyone at the club a lift and let us hope for a similar performance on January 29 when we make the short trip to MacKessack Park, Rothes.
January 26 Defender Andrew MacLean has joined Alness United on a one-month loan and midfielder Stephen Rennie has been placed on the transfer list. Andrew has made two appearances and two as substitute. Stephen has made fourteen appearances and one as substitute. Rejoining us from Elgin City on loan for the rest of the season is Jake Thompson.
January 28 The club today agreed to cancel the loan of midfielder Kane Davies currently with us from Rothes. Kane has made seven appearances and two as substitute.
January 29 At 0910 the Highland League issued a statement that all games scheduled for today have been postponed due to the prevailing weather conditions and the forecast that the afternoon weather could lead to late postponements. Attention now turns to the visit to Seafield Park of league leaders Fraserburgh who are involved in an exciting tussle for the title with Buckie Thistle, Brechin City, Inverurie Loco Works, Brora Rangers and Rothes. It is going to be a good finish to the season at both ends of the table.
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