Christie Park, Highland Football League, 26/3/25
Me still 338
Huntly Football Club
Founded – 1928
Nickname – The Black and Golds
Honours – Highland Football League-1929/30, 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98 and 2004/05. Highland League Cup -1948/49, 1951/52, 1992/93, 1993/94 and 1995/96. Aberdeenshire Cup -1960/61, 1985/86, 1991/92, 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96 and 1999/00. Scottish Qualifying Cup (North)– 1992/93, 1994/95, 1996/97 and 1999/00
The Highland Football League is magic, something I have said thousands of times and something I will say thousands of times in the future. Once again we are looking at it going to the final day, this will be the 4th in a row to go the distance(if it does so). With points dropped by Brora and Brechin recently we are still none the wiser to who will be triumphant in a couple of weeks. But let me tell you, if Brora Rangers play like they did in first half tonight in the remaining games, the title will end up in Sutherland. Their first 45 at Christie Park was the best I have seen from any team this season. A masterclass in how to stomp a mud hole in a team. It was clear from kick off that they were to get at the Black and Golds from the first whistle. They even had the ball in the net a couple of minutes in. It was chopped off but I am positive it was a let off for Huntly. Their keeper Brodie was far too concerned with complaining about the red clad players around him than doing his job. This leading to making a mess of a simple catch which Shane Sutherland was on hand to knock in the spill. But it was disallowed for offside, I must say I am not too sure it was though. Brora were knocking the ball bonnie around Huntly with ease in the early stages and I felt the goal would come soon but it took until almost halfway through the half for it to come and when it did it was brilliant on the eye. A ball from the right from Dingwall was an absolute delight as was the cushioned finish across the goal from Connor Bunce. A superb passage of play and deserved of a goal. A second soon followed when Wallace Duffy looked to have been left free at a corner to bash in a header. 0 v 2 and you had to fear for Huntly given how Brora were playing. Five minutes later it was three and it was special. Dingwall received the ball running into the box from the left, after a controlling touch he managed lob Brodie with a rapid fire second touch from not even ten yards. It was a magnificent finish from a tightish angle. I would imagine not many keepers in fitba would have expected such quick footwork and to be beaten by the lobbed finish. Brilliant. Dingwall was then again in the action when he made it four with another superb touch creating space. A ball in from Mackenzie found him at the edge of the box and the first touch seemed to bamboozle the two nearby Huntly defenders leaving Dingwall one on one to slip the ball home with ease. Speaking of ease, thoughts of a cricket score were in my head as they were with the company I was keeping in The Formartine supporting Anderson’s I have a regular habit of bumping into these days. The ref blew for half time but the action wasnt over as a bit of handbags broke out seeing Huntly man Heslop and Dingwall for the Cattachs given yellows. Huntly must have wondered what the bloody hell had just hit them. Four down with a hand full of decent chances also created while pretty much chasing the ball for the half. The best 45 of football I have seen from any team this season. This was the mark of champions elect.
HT 0 v 4
The second half saw a more aware Huntly, they were chasing and pressing with a lot more gusto making things a bit harder for Brora. It was too late as the game was dead as a contest but personally speaking, it was annoying as I was now up for an avalanche of goals and genuinely believed we could be heading for seven or eight. It was not to be given Huntly’s change of tactics. Brora still knocked the ball about well but it was a completely different half of football. Brora did still have chances with Wright, Wright again, Duffy and Bunce all going close. They also almost scored direct from a corner. Huntly added a couple more shots to their tally of two in the first half, but like the earlier efforts they did not test Brora keeper MacKay who did not have to make a save in anger all night. A fifth did finally come for Brora and it was another terrific team effort when Wright started a multi-man move and finished it off himself after touches from Kelly and Wallace in between. I am pretty sure when Wright was side footing his tidy finish past Brodie, the Huntly defence were probably thinking “how the hell do you deal with that?”. Quality stuff again from the visitors this ending the scoring and putting the cherry on top of a very impressive performance. I can see why their goal difference is so superior to everyone else. Three points more to the season tally as Brechin also picked up full points away to Strathy, despite going down one-nil.
Three games to go. Brora at home to Banks o’ Dee, Huntly and Rothes while title rivals Brechin have Formartine away, somewhere they have yet to register a point in their prolonged Highland League odysee. This followed by Nairn County and Lossiemouth at home. I will put my neck on the line and say Brora will do it and it will be as good as assured with a win on Saturday. I am quite positive of a last day shoot again though. Something that is becoming the norm in the greatest league on earth. But then again…….watch this space. A lot could happen with nine points to play for.(Or 12 if you are Banks o’ Dee who are still in with an outside chance).
Entrance -£10
Attendance – 220 (rough head count)
Pie – £4, pie and coffee
Pint – £4.40, Tennent’s, Huntly FC Social Club
FITBAWBAG 