(14/01/2023 – BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE – SEAFIELD PARK, GRANTOWN-UPON-SPEY)
LOSSIEMOUTH landed their first win of 2023 at the second attempt, getting the better of STRATHSPEY THISTLE for the third time this season to collect three valuable points. Played out in front of some snow-covered hills, the Coasters pilfered all three points in the final minute, leaving Strathspey rooted to the bottom of the table and wondering where their next points are to come from.
Lossie welcomed Dean Stewart back into the side after missing the trip to Formartine, while Ian Campbell again took charge of proceedings while the club continue to hunt for a new manager. Strathspey – still bottom of the league and with only one win all season – also went into the game managerless, and with no shortage of squad issues. Former Lossie goalkeeper Oliver Kelly was recalled to Elgin City in the week, leaving the hosts to scratch about for a replacement before finding Nathaniel Valente to take on net duties.
Lossie took advantage of their patched-up hosts and started well, forcing the concession of a penalty with just six minutes gone. Ryan Stuart was felled in the area and referee Billy Baxter was quick to point to the spot. The reliable Dean Stewart took custody of the kick but was foiled by debutant Valente, who fell on the ball and knocked it towards the base of the post before collecting, and the score remained goalless.
With light fading and the pitch getting heavier by the minute as drizzle continued to fall, the game was never destined to be a classic. The game was full of effort and half chances, but neither side managed to force a goal as darkness enveloped Seafield Park.
HALF TIME – STRATHSPEY THISTLE 0-0 LOSSIEMOUTH
Much as they had an hour earlier, Lossie started the second half well and this time made sure their efforts counted. Nine minutes after the restart, a cross from the right landed at the feet of Liam Archibald two yards out, and at the second attempt the Lossie skipper forced the ball home.
The goal brought about scenes of delight from the tourists, but the two previous meetings with Strathspey this season have both been hard-fought victories and the home side set about trying to salvage their first point of the year. A corner from the High School side drifted across the area before being headed back towards goal by Whitehorn and prodded in by Alan Kerr from close range.
With moments remaining a long-range effort from the home side was claimed by Cammy Farquhar, and it looked like the sides would have to settle for a point each. Lossie had other ideas and pounced on an error from Valente to go back in front as normal time ran out. Starting with Farquhar in possession, Lossie moved swiftly down the park and a cross to the edge of the area looked like causing few problems, only for Valente to steam off his line and attempt to clear with his head. The ball went straight up in the air before coming down and hitting a Strathspey defender, bouncing towards Fraser Forbes who headed it back into the empty net.
The goal sucked the life out of the home side and Lossie capitalised to score a third in injury time. Forbes beat his man down the left wing before crossing to the back post and a wide open Ross Archibald, who took a touch before poking the ball home. The goal marked the third time this season both Ross and Liam have scored against Strathspey, with the Coasters winning all three games.
The final whistle was greeted with cheers from the travelling support, who have not enjoyed many recent days in the hills of Grantown, but after several last-minute losses this season it was enjoyable to all involved with the club to be on the right end of a late winner. The Coasters now move onto a home game against Brechin City next weekend, before ending the month with a trip to Nairn County.
FULL TIME – STRATHSPEY THISTLE 1-3 LOSSIEMOUTH
TEAMS:
STRATHSPEY THISTLE –Nathaniel Valente; Jack Gilliland, James McShane, Alan Kerr, Liam McDade, Ross Logan, Daniel Whitehorn, Connor Austin (Joe Cuthbert (70)), Thomas McInnes (Seamus McConaghy (80)), Jack Davison, Owen Loveland (David Ross (56)); UNUSED SUBS – Cairn Giles, Rory Williamson, Lewis Morrison, Robbie Flett
LOSSIEMOUTH – Cameron Farquhar; Michael Weir, Lewis Mcandrew, James Leslie, Dean Stewart, Ross Morrison, Liam Archibald, Scott Thomson, Baylee Campbell (Ross Archibald (80)), Ryan Stuart (Harry Allen (90+), Adam Macleod (Fraser Forbes (67)) – UNUSED SUBS – Jack Macarthur, Finlay Mckay, Kryzstof Gryc, Kyle Morrison
GOALS:
STRATHSPEY THISTLE – Alan Kerr (75)
LOSSIEMOUTH – Liam Archibald (54), Fraser Forbes (88), Ross Archibald (90)
REFEREE:
Billy Baxter