STRATHSPEY THISTLE (Seafield Park)

SCOTTISH HIGHLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE, STRATHSPEY THISTLE 3-3 WICK ACADEMY, ATTENDANCE: 102 (h/c)

After Wednesdays North of Scotland Cup tie was cancelled due to Covid I finally headed to Grantown-on-Spey this afternoon to watch Strathspey Thistle take on Wick Academy in their first Highland League home game since March 2020.

Grantown-on-Spey is a town on the northern edge of the Cairngorms, around 20 miles south of Inverness, from where I was based.

The football club were formed in April 1993 as a result, ironically, of another teams success. The only football in town was during the summer months in the Strathspey & Badenoch Welfare League but five players who turned out for Grantown FC in that competition also played for Lossiemouth United in the Junior League when they when the title in 1992/93.

This led to a discussion about creating a team made up of the Strathspey & Badenoch Welfare League's best players and entering the Junior ranks. As a result Strathspey Thistle was born.

The name Strathspey Thistle was chosen to emphasise that the new club represented the district and not just Grantown.

The club enjoyed success in the Junior League before being elected to the Highland League in 2009, where they played their first game against this afternoon's visitors Wick Academy, losing 8-1. Speaking to the lady selling the golden goal tickets, this scoreline still resonates 12 years on!

Seafield Park has been home since the club's formation and was also previously home to Grantown FC until that club's demise in 1995. Th ground is sandwiched between the local grammer school and the golf course. There is a seated stand positioned on the half way line. 

The visitors from Wick started brightest and had the best of all the early chances, the best of which was scrambled off the line by Strathspey 'keeper Robert Donaldson.

It was no surprise when The Scorries took the lead when Gordon MacNab cut in to fire home, despite Donaldson getting a strong hand on the ball.

The goal sparked Strathspey into life and they now started to attack, but still looked susceptible to the counter attack. It appeared that Wick would hold onto the lead until half time but on 42 minutes a defensive mix-up up led to a Jags equaliser.

An initial poor back pass was sliced clear by Wick 'keeper Graeme Williamson and the ball fell to a Strathspey player who squared to Craig MacKenzie, who rounded the stranded Williamson to fire the ball home into the unguarded net.

The second half was four minutes old when a Strathspey free kick was flicked on by Duncan, and James McShane turned the ball towards goal. His effort was blocked on the line (it may have gone over) then, as the ball bounced clear, it was squeezed into the net by Jake Thomsen, maybe going in off his backside as there was much amusement and banter from the Jags supporters behind the goal. Regardless it was a goal and Strathspey were leading for the first time.

Wick created numerous chances as they pushed for an equaliser and eventually they were rewarded after 75 minutes when a shot a goal was saved by Donaldson, but Mark Macadie was on hand to tap home the rebound from inside the six-yard box.

The general feeling was that Wick would now go on and clinch victory but moments later Strathspey were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal and Kieran Chalmers stepped up to blast the ball into the top corner of the net (pictured below).

There were four minutes remaining when Wick deservedly got another equaliser, MacNab's effort being deflected into his own net by Liam McDade.

A fabulous game to watch and a fair result in my opinion. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon all round at a very friendly club, whose officials and volunteers were more than happy to chat and assist with things like badges and teamsheets.

I always love visiting the Highlands and I will do my utmost to return North as soon as possible.