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Press and Journal
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Revealed: The Press and Journal's Breedon Highland League team of the season
Now another memorable Breedon Highland League campaign is over, it is time to pick a team of the season. Given the quality right across the division, it feels like an impossible undertaking, with a multitude of players being considered for each position. In my role with the Press and Journal, I've covered 66 games involving Highland League clubs during the 2024-25 season. After many hours agonising over selecting a squad, I've whittled it down to 18 – with a starting XI set-up in a 4-4-2 formation and seven substitutes on the bench. Selecting just one goalkeeper is never easy given the quality of custodians in north football, but the-now retired Joe Malin gets the nod. Malin has shown himself to be an outstanding goalkeeper at this level for more than a decade and that was again the case in his final season in the Highland League. Having joined Clachnacuddin last summer, Malin's impact when he played was clear to see as the Lilywhites recorded their best goals against figure in the league since season 2004-05. On some occasions – such as the North of Scotland Cup final – Malin even produced virtuoso displays when on the losing side, which further underlined his quality. Brora Rangers' treble-winner Cammy Mackay is named on the bench after enjoying a dream season with the Cattachs. Brechin's Lenny Wilson, Daniel Hoban at Banks o' Dee and Inverurie Locos' Zack Ellis also enjoyed good campaigns. Unsurprisingly after such a tremendous season, Brora players feature heavily in this side, and they occupy both full-back positions. On the right, Tom Kelly had a terrific season with his rampaging runs forward a key attacking outlet for the Cattachs, and beyond that Kelly showed on numerous occasions he's a diligent defender when up against good wingers. Colin Williamson is chosen on the other flank, and although he was deployed at centre-back in the closing weeks of the campaign, for most of the season the Brora stalwart did an excellent job at left-back with his consistently solid and reliable displays securing his spot. Paul Coutts of Inverurie Locos and Brechin City's Brad McKay line up at centre-back. The former's reading of the game and confidence in possession proved to be extremely valuable for the Railwaymen as they finished fourth, while McKay was a rock at the heart of the Hedgemen's miserly defence – and also popped up with nine goals. Banks o' Dee's Mark Reynolds and Fraserburgh's dependable duo Bryan Hay and Kieran Simpson were also considered – and Hay is named on the bench, while Wallace Duffy excelled after arriving at Brora at Christmas. The other defender on the bench is Formartine United full-back Stuart Smith. He's been a model of consistency over many years and his swansong season was no different. Beyond that, Deveronvale's Jayden Goldie, Mark McLauchan of Forres Mechanics and Turriff United's Kieran Yeats also impressed in the full-back positions. In central midfield, I've opted for a blend of grit and guile. Craig MacKenzie has been instrumental to everything good about Brora this season, bagging 11 goals and providing countless assists. Partnering him is Jamie Beagrie. A master at breaking up play and getting his team on the front foot, there's always an added steel to Fraserburgh when he's in their team. Two of the best technical players in the Highland League are chosen on the flanks in Dee's Michael Philipson and Tony Dingwall of Brora. Both players have been talismen for their respective clubs and possess the ability to unlock a defence with a mazy dribble or pinpoint pass. Philipson contributed 18 goals this season, while Dingwall weighed in with 12 and both always seem to deliver in big games. There are a plethora of excellent midfielders in the Highland League and Forres' Jordan Alonge can consider himself unlucky not to make the XI, but is named on the bench after a brilliant first season in the division. Meanwhile, after almost two years out injured, Buckie's Kevin Fraser showed he's back to his best, Brechin's Fraser MacLeod, Clach's Jack MacKay, Marc Lawrence of Formartine and Fraserburgh's Greg Buchan also performed with credit. In the wide areas, Brora duo Max Ewan and Connor Bunce, Clach's Troy Cooper, exciting youngsters Jack Mitchell (Deveronvale) and Calum Frame (Forres), and Buckie's Lyall Keir were all considered following stellar seasons. But it's Brechin's Ewan Loudon who gets a spot on the bench. He was a constant threat from a wide area and netted 18 goals. Selected up front are north football's top scorer, Angus Grant, and Shane Sutherland. Grant was deadly in front of goal for Huntly, scoring 31 times in all competitions – and he went through spells where it seemed like every chance he got ended up in the net. Returning to action after more than two years out injured, Sutherland contributed 24 goals, but apart from finding the net, his hold-up and link-up play was also a key part of Brora's success this season. There were plenty of other good options to choose from. James Anderson demonstrated his quality with 23 goals for Clach and is on the bench alongside Fraserburgh's Scott Barbour, who netted 24 times and again proved to be a nuisance for defences across the north. Elsewhere, Nairn County's Ben Barron, Kyle Henderson of Wick Academy, Brechin's Dayle Robertson and Liam Duell of Banks o' Dee enjoyed good seasons. Steven Mackay is the selection as manager. He returned for a second stint in charge of Brora last summer and rebuilt their squad before masterminding the first Highland League clean sweep since 1954. Elsewhere, Banks o' Dee duo Josh Winton and Paul Lawson, and Fraserburgh's Mark Cowie, delivered silverware for their clubs again this term, while Dean Donaldson at Inverurie, Clach's Conor Gethins, Steven MacDonald of Forres and Deveronvale's Garry Wood all deserve credit for the progress their clubs made. Starting XI (4-4-2) – Joe Malin (Clachnacuddin); Tom Kelly (Brora Rangers), Paul Coutts (Inverurie Locos), Brad McKay (Brechin City), Colin Williamson (Brora Rangers); Michael Philipson (Banks o' Dee), Jamie Beagrie (Fraserburgh), Craig MacKenzie (Brora Rangers), Tony Dingwall (Brora Rangers); Angus Grant (Huntly), Shane Sutherland (Brora Rangers). Subs – Cammy Mackay (Brora Rangers), Bryan Hay (Fraserburgh), Stuart Smith (Formartine United), Jordan Alonge (Forres Mechanics), Ewan Loudon (Brechin City), James Anderson (Clachnacuddin), Scott Barbour (Fraserburgh). Manager – Steven Mackay (Brora Rangers).
Press and Journal
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Steven Mackay's pride as Brora Rangers bow out of play-offs
Brora Rangers boss Steven Mackay was proud of his players despite their pyramid play-off defeat to East Kilbride. The Breedon Highland League champions drew 3-3 with their Lowland League counterparts at Dudgeon Park, a result which means East Kilbride progress 4-7 on aggregate to face Bonnyrigg Rose in the play-off final. At one point in the second half the Cattachs – who won the treble of the Highland League, R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup and North of Scotland Cup this term – led 3-1 and it looked like they could overturn the 4-1 deficit from the first leg. But their hopes of promotion were snuffed out and manager Mackay said: 'I'm really proud of how the boys responded after last week. 'We underperformed last week and our pride was dented. We gave ourselves a huge mountain to climb, but we almost got to the summit. 'Their second goal hands all the momentum back to East Kilbride at such an important point in the game. 'That relaxed them and it ended up 3-3, which I don't think is a fair reflection, I felt we were good value to win this game. 'However, the reality is the damage was done last week. 'We've had a phenomenal season and I'm really proud of them because the effort they've put in this season has been incredible. 'At our first pre-season training session we had seven players and Shane Sutherland who hadn't kicked a ball in two years. 'To go from that to what we've achieved this season is huge credit to the players. 'We've come up short, the play-offs are tough, this is my third go at it and it doesn't get any easier, but we'll learn from it and it will stand us in good stead.' In the early stages East Kilbride's Cameron Elliott had a header and a follow-up shot from Regan Mimnaugh's corner blocked at close quarters by the Brora defence. But it was the Cattachs who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute to reduce their aggregate arrears. Tony Dingwall's driving run took him towards the edge of the box before he passed to Shane Sutherland, the striker did well to control and find the perfect return pass which set up Dingwall to score from eight yards. Eleven minutes later East Kilbride equalised when John Robertson was given too much time at the edge of the penalty area to let fly and his left-foot shot flashed into the roof of the net. However, within a minute Brora retook the lead to make it 3-5 on aggregate. Alex Cooper's inswinging corner from the right was whipped into the front post and was eventually clawed out of the goalmouth by goalkeeper Craig Truesdale. But referee Daniel Graves and assistant Michael Macdermid ruled the ball had crossed the line and gave the goal, despite visiting protests that the ball wasn't over the line and that Truesdale had been fouled. Despite still being two goals ahead on aggregate East Kilbride appeared nervy and Brora probed at the start of the second half for another goal. After Dingwall's 35-yard lob landed on the roof of the net the Cattachs did bag their third of the afternoon in the 56th minute to make it 4-5 on aggregate. Max Ewan did brilliantly on the right flank to wriggle out of a challenge, he then played a one-two with Tom Kelly before crossing for Sutherland to sweep into the net from 10 yards. Unfortunately the home side conceded again within two minutes as Nathan Flanagan crossed from the left and Elliott's flick on presented Joao Balde with a tap-in at the back post. The concession of the second goal halted Brora's momentum and in the 78th minute East Kilbride secured their spot in the play-off final. Wallace Duffy was adjudged to have tripped sub Scott Ferguson and after referee Graves pointed to the spot, Ferguson fired the penalty into the bottom left corner.
Press and Journal
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Brora Rangers' Shane Sutherland plots play-off comeback - plus Highland League news round-up
Shane Sutherland believes balance and patience will be key if Brora Rangers are to mount a pyramid play-off comeback. The Cattachs trail East Kilbride 4-1 heading into Saturday's second leg at Dudgeon Park, with the winner of the tie progressing to face either Bonnyrigg Rose or Forfar Athletic. Although Brora need to win by three goals just to force extra-time, striker Sutherland insists the Breedon Highland League champions don't need to go for broke from the outset. The 34-year-old said: 'From the outside people might think that it will have to be all-out attack from the first minute. 'But if you do that against a team like East Kilbride they could pick us off. 'In every game, regardless of who you're playing, both teams will get chances so we need to have balance and patience within our play. 'We want to be aggressive, on the front foot and take the game to them, but if we over-commit early on then it could become very hard for us. 'If we could score in the first 15 minutes that would be good, but we don't have to force things too much early on. 'Throughout this season we've shown we can score goals so I think balance is the key thing for us. 'We want to be aggressive in the right areas and at the right time, but we don't want to get picked off. 'It's going to be difficult, we need to raise our levels from last Saturday and hope their levels drop a bit as well. 'There have been a lot of games this season in which we've scored three or more goals. 'Last weekend was an off day and hopefully we can show we're much better than that.' Up to this point it's been an unforgettable season for Brora as they won the first treble in their history. Although the odds are stacked against them, Sutherland is hopeful the Cattachs can add another chapter to a campaign to remember by completing a remarkable comeback. The former Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Elgin City and Peterhead player added: 'If we show what we're capable of and get the balance right in terms of being aggressive but also managing their threats then we've got a chance. 'If we can keep a clean sheet, I know we're capable of scoring three goals, whether that happens or not we'll wait and see. 'East Kilbride might be able to stop what we want to try to do, but we'll give it our best shot anyway. 'We've had an unbelievable season, making history winning a treble for Brora for the first time. 'Even if we are to lose this tie, we don't want to go out with a whimper. We want to go out with a good performance, we hope our season doesn't end here and we'll do everything we can to try to get through. 'But if we do come up short we'll at least try to do what we've done all season which is getting on the front foot and playing attacking football.' Elsewhere, Fraserburgh have secured midfielders Aidan Sopel and Logan Watt on contract extensions. Sopel, 25, joined the Broch from Elgin City in 2023 and has signed a deal until the summer of 2027. Watt, 22, came through the youth ranks at Bellslea and has agreed a contract until the summer of 2029. Meanwhile, two Inverurie Locos players have also signed new contracts. Attackers Ryan Park and Nathan Meres have both put pen to paper on deals until the summer of 2027. Park, 21, joined the Railwaymen last summer from Deveronvale and also had a loan stint at Keith this term, while 24-year-old Meres first featured for Locos in November 2020. The former Cove Rangers and Huntly player missed the latter part of the 2024-25 season due to a spell working abroad. Earlier this week Clachnacuddin midfielder Fergus Adams also signed a contract extension. The 20-year-old former Ross County youngster first joined the Lilywhites in 2023. Lossiemouth's Ryan Stuart is another player who has extended his contract. The 29-year-old has spent the last seven years with the Coasters and has agreed a deal to remain at Grant Park next term. Elsewhere, two players could be leaving Huntly, with the Black and Golds making Joe Gauld and Leon Etko available for transfer. Defender Gauld is in his second spell at Christie Park, he first joined in November 2020 before returning in January 2023. Midfielder Etko signed for Huntly in January 2024 and has had loan stints with junior outfits Colony Park and Maud. However, other clubs have been notified that the pair are available for a move.
Press and Journal
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Steven Mackay rallies Brora Rangers as they try to climb play-off mountain
Manager Steven Mackay has called on Brora Rangers to do themselves justice on the national stage as they bid to keep their promotion hopes alive. The Cattachs face East Kilbride at Dudgeon Park on Saturday in the second leg of their pyramid play-off semi-final. The Breedon Highland League champions trail their Lowland League counterparts 4-1 following last weekend's first leg. But Brora boss Mackay isn't counting them out yet and expects plenty of fight from his charges. He said: 'We're in a tough position, but it's not an impossible position. 'Stranger things have happened in football than a deficit like this being overturned. 'Can we score three goals without a reply from East Kilbride? Yes we can, but it will be very difficult because they're a very good side. 'We'll give it our all and we've got pride to play for, which is important, because we don't want to go out with a whimper. 'We need to start better than last week, we have to score the first goal and preferably get it early as well. 'We're on the national stage and there's an element of it where you want to do the club proud and also do the Highland League proud as well. 'We let ourselves down last week, but we've had a good season and we're a good side. 'Every team will have off days and unfortunately we had one at the worst moment. 'But we want to make amends, we'll give it our all and see what happens.' Although the odds are stacked against Brora, Mackay insists they have to believe a comeback is possible. The Cattachs have enjoyed a memorable season winning the first treble in their history by claiming the Highland League, R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup and North of Scotland. Mackay is hoping their campaign won't come to an end this weekend and added: 'We have to believe we can do something, otherwise there's no point in turning up. 'It's not in our DNA to turn up and not believe we can win a game, irrespective of who we're playing. 'As a club we've shown that by beating clubs who play at a higher level in the past. 'We'll need to call upon that mindset again and we'll set up in such a way that gives us the chance to try to get an early goal and get back in the tie. 'In sport things can happen, I'm sure East Kilbride will want to get a goal to kill it off completely. 'There's an element of jeopardy for us if that happens, but we can't really worry about it. 'We didn't do ourselves justice last week and I want us to get back in the tie because a goal would put us back in the tie. 'It would still be a mammoth task, but a goal would make it interesting and we've got to give it everything. 'At the end of the day if it's not enough then so be it, we'll hold our hands up and reflect on what ultimately has been a phenomenal season.'
Press and Journal
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
James Wallace says Brora Rangers have belief for play-off second leg against East Kilbride
James Wallace insists Brora Rangers still believe they can reach the pyramid play-off final. The Breedon Highland League champions are trailing East Kilbride 4-1 in the play-off semi-final following last weekend's first leg at K Park. However, ahead of Saturday's return at Dudgeon Park, Wallace revealed the Cattachs still have confidence as they aim to mount a comeback. The 24-year-old felt Brora didn't hit their usual heights last weekend and knows if they are to have any chance of overturning their three-goal deficit a much-improved display is needed. Wallace said: 'We need to do the opposite to last weekend, we need to be aggressive and on the front foot from the start. 'We need to score at least three goals so the only way we can approach it is to go for it from the off. 'As a group we feel we're better than what we showed last Saturday and we believe we're capable of overturning the deficit. 'Probably 90% or 95% of people looking at the tie will think it's done. 'But we've got the belief in our changing room given the season we've had that we can turn things around. 'However, it's going to take a monumental effort, but if we're all at it on the day then we are capable. 'During this season we've had a few setbacks and we've always managed to respond well to them. 'So it's a case of doing that again, there's no pressure on us given the scoreline so we have to give it our best shot and you never know what can happen in football.' Firepower in attack generally hasn't been an issue for Brora this season. In 49 matches across all competitions this term the Sutherland club have scored 149 goals. As a minimum they need to score three times on Saturday and Wallace is hopeful they have the threats to do that. If Brora are unable to win the tie and progress to face Bonnyrigg Rose or Forfar Athletic, Wallace hopes they can at least end what has been a memorable campaign in positive fashion. The Cattachs won the treble of the Highland League, R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup and North of Scotland Cup for the first time in their history this season. Wallace added: 'Over the course of the season we've scored a lot of goals and a lot of players have chipped in with goals. 'Whatever way they come, if we were to score a few goals on Saturday, we'd take them. 'We need to restore a bit of a pride, we've had such a good season. 'But if it was to fizzle out with a poor performance on Saturday that would put a dampener on the end of the season. 'If we don't end up winning the tie, we need to at least give a good account of ourselves and show we can compete with sides like East Kilbride.'
