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Press and Journal
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup draw revealed
Holders Brora Rangers will start their defence of the R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup against Strathspey Thistle in the preliminary round. The draw for the prelim round and first round took place on Friday at the headquarters of the competition sponsors in Banchory. The Cattachs, who have won the League Cup in the past two seasons, will face the Grantown Jags at Dudgeon Park on Saturday September 13. In the other preliminary round tie Forres Mechanics will take on Wick Academy at Mosset Park. The first round ties will be played on Saturday November 8 with Inverurie Locos v Buckie Thistle and Brechin City v Clachnacuddin among the standout fixtures. Trevor Mutch, the managing director of R Davidson (Banchory), said: 'We're delighted to be associated with the Highland League Cup. We really enjoyed our first season sponsoring the competition. 'We saw a lot of different grounds and we saw some really good games so we're looking forward to the new season. 'There's some really good first round ties. Inverurie against Buckie is one that jumps out, while there's the potential for Wick v Brora which I'm sure would be a friendly affair! 'This year the final was between two of the form teams in the latter part of the season (Brora and Fraserburgh) and it was really well-attended. 'Hopefully the 2025-26 tournament throws up something similar.' The Highland League Cup preliminary round draw (ties to be played on Saturday September 13): Brora Rangers v Strathspey Thistle, Forres Mechanics v Wick Academy. The Highland League Cup first round draw (ties to be played on Saturday November 8): Inverurie Locos v Buckie Thistle, Banks o' Dee v Deveronvale, Huntly v Nairn County, Brechin City v Clachnacuddin, Turriff United v Rothes, Formartine United v Lossiemouth, Forres Mechanics/Wick Academy v Brora Rangers/Strathspey Thistle, Keith v Fraserburgh.
Press and Journal
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Highland League award winners revealed as Angus Grant is named player of the year
Huntly's Angus Grant was crowned player of the year at the Breedon Highland League awards dinner in Inverness. The striker's 23 league goals also earned him the top scorer trophy, while in all competitions he netted 31 times for the Black and Golds. Grant is the first Huntly player to scoop the Highland League's player of the year award since it was introduced for season 1988-89. The 26-year-old said: 'It's a complete surprise, with the amount of talent in the league I didn't expect to win it. 'It's a great honour and I can only thank my team-mates who have put me in the position to win an individual award like this. 'You look at the list of players that have won this award and it's a list of legendary players. 'It's a hugely prestigious award and I'm chuffed to bits to win it. 'I didn't know I was the first Huntly player to win it so that's a big thing for the club and also me personally.' Brora Rangers boss Steven Mackay was named manager of the year after guiding the Cattachs to the first treble in their history as they claimed the Highland League, R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup and North of Scotland Cup. It was also the first time since 1954 that a club had won every tournament they compete in at Highland League level in the same season. Mackay said: 'It's a nice way to end the season winning this award, but I have to mention the guys that back me up David Hind (assistant manager), Jordan MacDonald (first-team coach) and Michael MacKenzie (first-team coach). 'Without them I can't do my job, it's not about the individual, it's about the collective. 'They deserve this recognition as much as me, my day job is very demanding and my time is at a premium and they give me a huge amount of support. 'I'm delighted to accept the award, but it's a collective effort from the management team, to the players, to the board.' Jack Mitchell was named young player of the year after a stellar season with Deveronvale which saw him contribute 13 goals and 14 assists. The 18-year-old winger said: 'I'm stunned to win this award. It means a lot because it's the players that vote for it and there are so many good young players in the league so I didn't expect to win it.' Meanwhile, Fraserburgh collected the fair play award and three club stalwarts were recognised with unsung hero awards. Inverurie Locos' historian David Fasken, Brechin City kitman Alan Grieve and Huntly's Jim McGregor, who has served as player, manager, committee member and ambassador, were all honoured for their dedication to their respective clubs. There was also a celebration of Graham Wilson's service to the Highland League as he steps down following 25 years as assistant secretary and youth secretary.
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.'
Press and Journal
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Wayne Mackintosh honoured to become Nairn County manager
New Nairn County manager Wayne Mackintosh admits he was surprised to be offered the job – but says it's an honour to take it on. The Wee County have named club legend Mackintosh as their new boss. The Station Park outfit have been looking for a permanent manager since Ross Tokely departed in January, with Brian Macleod holding the fort on an interim basis since then. Mackintosh retired from playing at the end of the season after 16 years and 411 appearances in Nairn's midfield across two spells. He played for County from 2004 to 2017 and helped them win the North of Scotland Cup twice and R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup. Mackintosh then moved to Formartine United, who he helped to win the Highland League Cup, Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup and Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield. He spent the 2021-22 season at Rothes and was part of their North of Scotland Cup winning squad, before returning to Nairn in September 2022 and helping them win the North Cup again in November 2023. Mackintosh didn't apply to become Nairn manager, but revealed his delight at being asked to take on the job. The 37-year-old said: 'It came as a bit of a surprise to me, I'd decided to retire from playing and I was actually looking forward to having a break. 'But then the club hadn't appointed as a manager and they approached me and had a conversation about the job. 'It was a surprise to me, but when I thought about it I decided it was a really good opportunity. 'I've always thought I would like to get into coaching, although I didn't anticipate it being as Nairn first-team manager. 'But it's an honour to be considered for the role. I've got a passion for the club, I wanted to retire as a player at Nairn and now becoming manager is something I'm delighted about. 'I want to see the club do well so for me coming into management it probably makes it easier to be doing it with Nairn. 'There's a really good squad here, it's a great bunch of boys so hopefully I can help them improve individually and collectively to make the club successful.' Nairn finished 13th in the Breedon Highland League this season and looking ahead to next term Mackintosh believes the squad at his disposal is capable of better. He would also like County to challenge in the cup competitions next season. Mackintosh, who has also had a spell in charge of Nairn's Under-18s side, added: 'I want to get the club up the table. For the quality we have at the club I think we underachieved this season. 'We want to move up the table and I also want us to be more competitive in the cups. 'We went out in the first round or second round of every cup this season. 'So being competitive in the cups and trying to bring some silverware back to Nairn is what I'd like to do. 'There's a good core of a squad at Nairn which is very competitive and if we can make a couple of additions that would only make us better. 'Playing alongside the boys I know there's real quality there and hopefully we can be more competitive next season.'
