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There’s been a bit of musical chairs in the studio this week, out is Ryan, over is Paul and back is Callum. The team are still delivering the in-depth analyse you know and love though on what was a really busy weekend in the Highland League. We’ve got all the ins and outs on the results, plus a deep-dive into the changes at Clachnacuddin and Deveronvale.
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Well column it was a a game which sort of summed up both clubs really I suppose I it’s it’s kind of you look at the result first of all and doesn’t really suit either team particularly well I mean inui from being in front and then seeing Bucky reduced
To 10 men you’d probably want to go on and win from that position and I mean they did have a couple of great chances to do that that um fell for Aiden Wilson which they couldn’t take and then Bucky going for the league as that our
Pre-match if he’d offered them a point I don’t think they would have taken it but the way the game’s panned out over the 90 minutes it’s probably not the the worst result I mean said it often enough but they keep going and they’ve managed to to dig something out there when sort
Of things went against them but I’m sure there is a bit of frustration as well that they haven’t won and I mean you look at their it’s like this both with them and breaking this title race has been a lot of twists and turns and I’m sure there’ll be more but it’s like
Bucket’s last five League games they’ve won two they’ve lost two and they’ve drawn one which just sort of um isn’t quite the consistency they would want at this stage of the season but obvious it’s a tough tough league and I think they sort of Toller playing Saturday Wednesday Saturday Wednesday
Maybe maybe is having an impact as well G schz asked his players to make sure it was a vital Point earned rather than two dropped by going on and winning the last 10 games of the season to secure the championship it’s it’s going to be a big
Ask it is a big ask I mean the the thing that’s interesting about it as well is if those last 10 games if they win them they will be Champions because they’re uh 10 points behind breing with the three games in hand in the sides PL at
Victoria Park next uh a week on Wednesday so it’s the we’ll come on to Breaking later obviously but it’s there for both both teams now really if you go and win your games you know you’ll win the league which is obviously a good position to be in but you’ve got to go
And do it as well I mean Bucky playing and I mean this Wednesday come in playing for Martin United another really tricky game so it’s I mean it’s going to be a great end to the great end to the season a lot to to play for clearly Locos for their part are certainly
Finishing the season strongly aren’t they yeah I mean they’ve put together I think they’re eight eight unbeaten now not all competitions league and Aber D cup and they’ve put together a good run and you can I’ve said pre in previous weeks but you can sort of
See what Dean Donaldson wants to do and how they’re sort of looking to build things up and I mean even one eye on next season like if say Aiden Wilson already there’s obviously the the unknown a wee bit with Miles GNE and me L los oransky being un loan F Co whether
They keep them or what happens but we’ve probably been saying for quite a few months now with Locos it’s sort of anything that can do this season is probably a a bonus in a way because of the start the head for a long time it’s sort of been maybe about building
Towards next season but obviously they’ve got to a Cup Final laber in cup fin as well which if if Saturday’s game between the sides anything to go to that’ll be another good good watch so they’ve done that and they’ve improved in the league and it’s all pretty
Positive and I mean the only Dean was saying afterwards he couldn’t have be too critical of his players only slight thing probably for them is that wee bit of frustration that they didn’t see the game out and win on Saturday a fine win for for Martin United then and the star
Of the show Aaron Reed with his hatrick I I mean he was hugely influential and all that for Martin did well certainly in a in an attacking Sense on Saturday and just you know any team going to dudgeon Park you take any sort of win bit to go up and
Win in that manner hugely impressive from for Martin I mean the the car said before but the carry plenty of threats I mean Aron Reed since he come in on Loan in January scored nine goals I think it is now which is a you know handy return
They’ve got Julian Wade they’ve got Paul Campbell even players like Scott L Aiden Kum coming off the bench so they carry a lot of threat and made good use of it on uh on Saturday I mean some arens finishes that was saw really good striking play and he’s a player even
Though he’s only I think 19 he’s a player now who’s you know proving himself at Highland League level no for me no question about it now terms of the sort of year he had at T what he did there and then coming up for Martin he’s shown he’s certainly capable capable at
This level the question probably for him going forward is can he go higher I mean he’s obviously Aberdine just now whether he’s H ends up back at like a Peter head Coan next season you sort of wait wait to see potentially but he’s certainly a player with a big future it’s pleasing an
Afternoon as it was for the visitors that’s quite so much for uh BR disappointing one for Ali McDonald I I mean BR the thing is BR that sort of regained a bit of momentum they’d won three in a row prior to that they have got this issue again but like Bucky with
A huge amount of midweek games to play and I know Ali’s been trying to S of rotate Squad and try and you know not put the burden all on the the same players and the F like Ali Morrison’s obviously signed on loan for Ross County
A few weeks ago and Josh means has come back and things like things like that but it’s it’s tough for br and I think like not even just this season but over a couple of Seasons now although neither side’s probably in a position to
Win the Le not in a position to win the league now Saturday’s game those sort of games against the sides around them that you’d be competing with to potentially win a league bro have struggled in them for a a couple of Seasons now the their records not the best and that’s
Something that I think they’re going forward they’re Keen to address and even again going into next season you’d be trying to address and even with what’s still at play for this season they’ve also got a Highland League Cup Final coming up against Fraser brand clearly although I thought
They created quite a few chances actually in Saturday’s game clearly if you want to be winning the likes of that final they’ll need to improve a few things from that looking at the other games the clar nil Breen City two two both goals coming in the second half from gry McGrath and Murray
Minosh an important win for Gavin Price’s side yeah a good win in the end I mean obviously they drew with us mics in midweek and then again going back to the league it sort of felt like that had sort of put the ball a bit more in
Buck’s court again but then bck have drawn at the weekend break and have won back to to the 10 points in front I mean they found a way which is the main thing Grady McGrath back starting made the Breakthrough and then Mur minosh is added the second and clar had probably
Okay bre and hit the woodwork a couple of times in the first half but Clark had probably done quite well to frustrate them actually and keep it at nil nil as long as they did and they actually had a couple of decent chances early on themselves but then
I’m sure Connor GTH both pardon me both goals from a clock point of view defensively they could probably deal with them better but that’s maybe the difference a we bit when you play the top sides is little mistakes you’ll get punished for them whereas maybe in some games you get
Away with them but I think clar can take uh sort of positives from the the performance even though they didn’t get any points for breing it’s gin price said sort of when was all important they got it move on to the next one um even off I mean the game’s almost sort of
Become a in terms of the clock end of things anyway overshadowed a wee bit by the news on Sunday that uh chairman Alex Chism and directors Scott dling and Chris Forbes are stepping down um leaving the club uh at this stage sitting here right now I don’t know the full ins and outs
But certainly it’s be interesting to see what happens going forward at Grant Street park because those are three guys who over various years have put in a huge amount of time to claron and kept the club running and have sort of long connection to that club so be
Interesting to see who maybe comes in there and what the sort of future direction of the club is but I mean certainly for Alex and Scott and Chris I can personally sort of sad to see them go as well cuz I know the sort of work
That they’ve they’ve put in at gr Street elsewhere banks at E4 Forest mechanics nil D Remain the heading up the the chasing back as it stands Ethan K’s putting D ahead against his former lone club with an early header I think Max Alexander doubled the lead and then
Michael Phillips andari W wrapped it up with two goals in the final six minutes a good day work for d I they’ve been looking for a response obviously I mean the defeats the Fraser BR Bucky have sort of punctured their hopes are winning the title I mean you
Look at the position they’re in now if they win their remaining games they get to 77 points which personally although that would be I mean if they could do that’ be a very good season for them still and worth remembering the one abera Shield back in December also but
To say like you feel like b or B and whoever will get past 77 points into the 80s and that’s why you sort of feel there the the two contenders now but Banks you know they’ve done what they had to do on Saturday ple Paul Lawson was pleased
With the performance and the manner of the Victory and more goals you score the the better it is I mean I thought for Forest as well it’s like frustrating Maybe Steven McDonald’s touched on it a we bit maybe inconsistency from game to game sometimes or even H uh half to half
Because I mean he felt like they were they were in the game for quite a a while on Saturday but then he ended up saying that the their outcome didn’t you know didn’t really flatter Banks a day and then but you you see like with for us I mean draw breing
On Wednesday they are capable and even weekend previously played well in defeat to BR so it’s just like there is the there is the making so a good team and we’ve seen it at times in the result in be results that they’re a decent outfit for us but sometimes you maybe
Get get days like Saturday which is a bit frustra for folk elsewhere near County nil Fraser a three three different scorers for the Brockett Station Park all the goals coming in the second half there Ryan Sergeant Scott barar and Sean butcher wrapping up the points for Mark K’s side
The Brock will go second if they can uh win it for us in midweek which would put them three behind breaking I know you’ve just said 78 77 is probably not enough but they could they couldn’t could they again it’s like Fraser BR win their game
78 points is a is a good return but I’d still again i’ still feel that a Rin probably gets more points than that I mean it’s it’s like I think F I think Ferra probably there’s two or three results they’ll look back look back on and think that’s
Just in a I mean a few teams probably the same but just a couple of results here and there this season draw it home to clar when they con conceded with last kick of the ball and things like that a couple of results that have just sort of
Hampered them being right up there but certainly they’re in quite a decent uh decent run overall and you know the could I think certainly race at least to be in the top four they’re right in the mix for that maybe finishing second third whatever good I mean good win as well
Going back to Saturday’s game Station Park never an easy place to go and the sort of Usual Suspects a we bit Sergeant uh Barber and butcher um doing what fbra needed them to do near maybe we but unlucky they did Jamie caran very nearly put them in front and hit the inside of
The post and they go in the first half at nil nil and maybe it’s a different game if that happens um also if you looked at the cheats and sat here and quite actually short short of bodies had a few sort of youngsters on the bench and things Steven McKai was back in
Playing and maybe one of them games just catching up and injuries and one or two things it’s can make it tricky but they’ve still got four games left and they could still get to if they win them still get to 60 points which would be a very good return Huntley are certainly
In the groove at the minute they beat Wick Academy 2-1 at chrisy Park it’s a fourth successive home win for the black and Golds and Andy Hunters double making it 23 for the season Colin Charlesworth talking up a striker he’s a cracking player and a talent his go numbers this
Season are scary says the manager how important is he to the black and Golds and did I say given he’s out of contract the summer how big a fight they’re going to have keeping him there uh well the first thing your first part your question he’s very important he’s just a
Difference Maker in terms of well clearly goals when he scored 23 this season but he’s G and n and the final third and his link up play as well he sort of I’ve always felt he kind of knits everything together for Huntley that final third and they are clearly a
Better side when he’s when he’s play when he’s in the final third uh in terms of keeping him I mean it’s I’d imagine I would clearly be interested form he’s been in but it’s one of them where speaking to people at Huntley the situation certainly I think
Far from resolved at the minute like even last season I mean Andy sort of took his time and then decided he would stay again so I think it’s one where they’ll be having discussions about it but clearly obviously Huntley would be desperate for him to remain when you see
How how well he’s done this season and looking at things in the way they are just now they’re black and Gold’s are the team that’s sort in the the pole position to finish sort of seventh I mean you’d expect in whatever order Bri and bucket Banks a phase for Martin BR
To be the top six but Huntley are the side best placed at the minute to to potentially finish seventh and again if they could do that be a good season for them for Wick I mean G Manson sort of maybe disappointed at times maybe a bit too passive he felt in
The the first goal he conceded maybe a bit Scrappy and it’s like one of those days where things go against you but I wouldn’t think it um um it’ll derail them too much because they’ve had a few decent results of late as well right to
B then Deon Veil N St space thisle three a second win of the season for St space as they complete the double over the veil Sean McIntosh saved Owen loveland’s penalty but the visitors would not be denied in this one Michael McKenzie breaking the deadlock before Loveland
Makes amends by adding a second Ross Logan then wrapping up the points two minutes from time a superb win for the the Granton Jags really really good win for them and I mean clean sheet as well I can that’s has been a an issue for them not just this season but probably
Longer term in terms of keeping the ball out of the net and if man to do that which I’d imagine will please Michael R then R man no end and the fact that came back from the maybe frustration and not scoring for the penalty spots a good
Sign for them as well because I imagine there’s a few folk involved with st B when the penalty was saved had probably thought oh here we go have we missed our chance but they haven’t in really good win for them uh I mean obviously in terms of trying to get off the
Bottom still looks unlikely I mean they’re 10 points behind clar who they play at Seafield Park this weekend so I mean I still feel that with the games we’ve got to play and things time’s probably running out for St be a wee bit in terms of not finishing bottom but if
They could follow it up and and win on Saturday again against clar would make things a bit more interesting towards the bottom end of the table um another thing to point out as well with Saturday only had 12 a scad of 12 players really so he even more impressive to to go to
Princess Ro Park and when going for the dev Veil side of things Craig Stewarts unfortunately resigned following that um defeat and I think certainly well he did his s of postmatch press um before he deci I think before he announced or decided to resign but I think in his quotes he was
At a bit of a loss like you look at their recent results they a really good win against Turf United couple of Wednesdays ago played really well the the draw were off us and they came back for two n down Coulda won even last week against Brean they were in front and and
Did well in spells and what he’s seen in terms of the performance on Saturday it’s CLE clearly not at all what he’s looking for and obviously didn’t feel it was good enough and I think if you look at Craig’s time overall at dville he’s a tricky job like
He’s been manager three three years fully and he’s been involved as a coach in that before you know another five and a bit years prior to that and if he the time he’s been there it’s been quite a tricky job in terms of he’s lost H Ross Akin sold to Ferra Matthew
Wallace sold to Banks ad out Huntley horis arms be sold to n and that you know that’s three players that are doing well at clubs higher up the table so that’s big players for the veil to lose yard and again this season Dan Ballard hasn’t been available because of his injury in
Pre-season and there hasn’t really been the score H to go out and and replace him as such as you might have wanted to do so there’s been a lot of factors may be going going against Craig a we bit and I think it’s a tri tricky job at dville
Because there is quite a few good young players there and potential and if you could keep them together and things I think there’s a bright future but maybe keeping them together as a thing or people having the patience for you to do that that’s the
Thing I don’t know and even you look at some of Craig sigs like brought in players like inis maai who’s Now sort of I mean he’s still got a young player now sort of recognized as one of the sort of good top Center halfs in the league and
Been a lot of interest in him previously and Craig sort of picked him up out the Juniors maybe when people weren’t so much looking at him he’s brought in kind young players like Ryan Park uh Jaden Bradford J Goldie and sort of blooded them and they’ve shown
Themselves to be good players for de and Vil and they’ve got good future so I think it’s like clearly I think Craig probably feels over his time overall results haven’t been good enough but I do think there’s been some bright spots as well and I didn’t I
Think for whoever comes next I don’t I really think it’s a a particularly easy job I don’t think there’s like a quick fix necess early I mean even looking further ahead they’re trying the club’s trying to replace their flood lights and things like that so I wouldn’t imagine
In terms of the football budget football side of things there’ll be a huge amount of money for whoever comes next to to work with either you got any names to throw in the frame for us or I mean being on H holiday as well as in
Touch with it as usual but I mean you look at like there’s folk like I mean Chris Hunter’s one who’s been out of the game in terms of management for a couple of years now but been proven previously where like Fraser bror for Martin would he be interested maybe good experience
Andy L’s some I mean had these two Spells at local and hasn’t really worked out but this is maybe a different challenge is it more uh suitable I mean this kind of I mean Ro whether it would work geographically with him being based in vaness I don’t know but kind like Ross
Jacks somebody that’s obviously another one good experience in the league I like or D maybe some of the sort of maners towards the top end of the North Region Juniors like so a um Lee youngon at cter or a Steve wats and Hermes are these sort of guys who’ve maybe done well in
The junor and want to to try and um test themselves moving up but be like I imagine there’ be plenty of folk interested but what direction dville go in next I’m not not quite sure two games left to round up then rothus one Turf 83 turff coming from behind to win at mic
Park Jake Thompson’s penalty had put the home side ahead in the fourth minute before Liam stacking equalized just before the break John Allen and Murray cormar then getting the goals in the second half to secure victory for Warren comeing side they’re still ticking away away quite nicely well it’s probably a
Win that need bit because it had five five without a win prior to that that s of dropped off a touch so to win at massic Park I could be quite H clearly be quite happy with I think they were well on top by all accounts as well they
Hit the woodwork three times I believe as well during that game so worthy winners I would say I mean for rothus it’s like they probably just want the almost the end of the season coming away because I mean you look at the players missing list in front of me Michael finis Greg
Morrison Alan Pollock Fraser Robertson Alan McKenzie Ben Johnson Ben Williamson Kyle white uh Duncan proud lot of good good players at any team would miss and I mean some young players have come in and done well and um probably long-term good experience for them but clearly in the short term
Getting results it’s it’s challenging and I think like a few clubs now the rothus are mid-table it’s about trying to build things for next season and Richard hon maybe got an eye in the sort of transfer market as well and who he can maybe bring in and things like that so that’s
One of them where I think when the end of the season comes they’ll sort of be you know that’s maybe when they can really get down to business our last game then Keith one lot him m nil The Maroons are flying at the minute seven games unbeaten thanks to Gavin elon’s
Free kick for his seventh goal of the season um Craig y must be a very happy man with what he’s getting you’d think he would be yeah I mean first of all that goal on Saturday goal fit the old cliche but a goal fit to win any game a really really
Good free kick for Gavin Elston and Keith I mean seven games unbeaten in the league 15 points out of 21 for any team that’s a good runner form but for a team in the bottom half of the table especially it’s top top class really and
They’re I mean they’re up to 12th now in the table 26 points just one point behind last seasons total with eight games to play and it’s like if Keith could say finish 12th and put quite a few more points on the board I think that would be a good season I
Mean they’ve had maybe challenges at times this season but I think they’ve built quite a good squad now the majority of wh are I think secured for next season as well I think they’re going forward could be quite a bright bright future at Keith in terms of
Trying I mean it’s very competitive as we always touch on on here but terms of trying to build again and keep climbing I think he’d be quite optimistic if you’re a key supporter certainly on the basis of the recent run of form for lossi I thought FR mri’s comments
Afterwards were quite interesting terms of he felt his side lacked belief and they got what they deserved and it’s quite strange after a week after beating Bucky you’d think maybe belief would be coursing through the veins of the the coers players but um that’s again it’s like sides in the bottom half
Lai it’s just that consistency sometimes in terms of what they’re doing with levels of per performance because we’ve seen numerous occasions this season when everything goes for them and they play well they can beat anyone and they’re a good side but then against like the likes of a game like Saturdays
One where you’re looking through the fixtures and it’s against a side around them they’d feel like they’ve got a good chance of doing something and then to to sort of not hit the standards they would like to clearly a disappointment for Frank well after a busy weekend the
Breeded Highland League let’s see how those results impact the Highland League table
