(26/08/2023 – GPH BUILDERS MERCHANTS HIGHLAND LEAGUE CUP FIRST ROUND, GRANT PARK, LOSSIEMOUTH)
Lossiemouth get the weekend off from league business to begin their assault on the GPH Builders Merchants Highland League Cup, which starts with a home tie against Strathspey Thistle. The tie will be played to a finish on the day
LEAGUE FORM (MOST RECENT RESULT FIRST)…
LOSSIEMOUTH – DLLLL, GF 4, GA 11; LEAGUE POSITION – 15th
The Coasters picked up their first point of the season after drawing with Brora Rangers last weekend. James Leslie scored from downtown to level the game, and Lossie trotted off the pitch at full time both content with a point and disappointed not to have poached all three after keeping Brora on a tight leash for most of the afternoon.
STRATHSPEY THISTLE – LLLL, GF 2, GA 15; LEAGUE POSITION – 18th
Strathspey started the season well, scoring the opening goal of the league campaign in the second minute at Forres Mechanics, just as Dean Stewart was lining up his free kick for what would be the second goal of the league season at Fraserburgh. Unfortunately for Thistle, they – like Lossie – would see the early lead reversed by their hosts. Strathspey have played Banks O’ Dee, Brora, Forres and Formartine and lost all four, scoring just twice, but ran Brora and Forres close. Their last outing was a homer against the Torry terrors, which went badly wrong for Thistle and sent them to the bottom of the table on goal difference.
LAST TIME AT GRANT PARK…
24/08/2022 – Lossiemouth 4-2 Strathspey Thistle
Thistle ventured north for a midweek league encounter and were a pain in the rear all night long. Lossie were in front early on thanks to Liam Archibald, only for former Coaster Owen Loveland to level in the first half. Ross Elliott and Ross Archibald scored to give Lossie breathing space following the change of ends, but Liam Taylor set up an entertaining finale with a second for Thistle. Baylee Campbell settled matters with the final goal of the night in injury time. The win was the first of three last season for Lossie against Strathspey, with the Coasters completing a league double and knocking the Grantown side out of the Highland League Cup. All three were hard fought, and this weekend is unlikely to be any different.
PREVIOUSLY IN CUP FOOTBALL…
29/10/2022 – Strathspey Thistle 2-3 Lossiemouth (HLC1)
21/09/2019 – Strathspey Thistle 2-1 Lossiemouth (SCO1)
06/09/2017 – Lossiemouth 0-0 Strathspey Thistle (Lossie won 5-4 on penalties; NOS1)
07/02/2015 – Lossiemouth 2-1 Strathspey Thistle (HLC1) – Match report
25/07/2009 – Lossiemouth 4-3 Strathspey Thisle (NOS1) – Match report – Photos
Strathspey played their first game as a senior club at Grant Park, in the first round of the North of Scotland Cup in July 2009. The Coasters ran out 4-3 winners after a 90 minute battle, with Nikki Smith (2), Shawn Scott and Kevin Flett scoring for the home side.
COMPETITION HISTORY…
Lossie last won the Highland League Cup in 1996, defeating Fraserburgh at Christie Park with a late Roy Main free kick. The win was Lossie’s second triumph in the competition, the first coming in the 1961/62 season when Deveronvale were beaten at Borough Briggs. Strathspey have yet to win the competition and have won just three ties since first taking part (@ Fort William in 2010/11, v Huntly in 2017/18 and v Clachnacuddin in 2019/20).
TOP SCORERS…
Dean Stewart has found the net twice for Lossie, with Ryan Farquahar and James Leslie also netting for the Grant Park outfit. Strathspey have netted just the twice so far this season, with Iain Ross and Owen Loveland hitting the back of the net.
MATCH OFFICIALS…
Harry Bruce has the whistle, and is accompanied by Andy Stephenson and Ian Moeller on semaphore duties.
IF YOU’RE GOING TO THE GAME…
Door tax is a tenner, with raffles available for anyone needing rid of change on the way in. Please arrive early at the ground. Season tickets are not valid and it’s cash only at the gate.
The social club is open from 1100hrs and welcomes away fans both before and after the game, and will be showing some overblown nonsense from the big leagues on the big screen TV before and after the game. The bar accepts both cash and card payments, but remember to bring coins for the raffle or Dirk will not be happy.
ON THE DAY…
Updates and the like will be available on Twitter from before KO. Full spread after.
SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM PREDICTION…
Home win, why not.
