Ray Patterson Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) Stealing the thread idea from @HibeeJibee, as we enter into the final months of the season it might be worth a look at the possible coming and going between the HL and Tier 6 Leagues. First of looking at the Highland League, Fort William were the massive favourites to finish bottom, but having brought in players that have seen their performances improve - they could escape the dreaded playoff with an Albion Rovers-style escape. In 17th is Turriff United who seem to have really fallen from grace in the past few seasons, since their backer stopped investing as heavily iirc. Turriff have a seven point buffer on the Fort but that might not be enough especially as the two still have to play. Fellow "newboys" to the Highland League and pereninal sufferers Strathspey Thistle lie in 16th sitting a point ahead of Turriff - so are also in the mix. The Table 16. Strathspey Thistle P20 W2 D4 10pts - 44GD 17. Turriff United P24 W2 D3 L19 9pts -50GD 18. Fort William P19 W0 D2 L17 2pts -76GD Upcoming fixtures Fort vs Strath on the 19th February is a must-win game for Fort - the previous encounter finished 7-3 to the speysiders - but Fort have defo improved since then and will be an interesting gage on how much they have improved under the new manager. Date Fort William Turriff United Strathspey Thistle 9th Feb Brora (A) Inverurie LW (H) ----- 12th Feb Wick Acad (A) Deveronvale (A) Formartine Utd (A) 16th Feb Keith (A*) ------- ------- 19th Feb Strathspey Th (A*) Rothes (H) Fort William (H*) 26th Feb Clach (A) Fraserburgh (A) Brora (H) 2nd Mar Nairn County (A*) ------- ------- 4/5th Mar Lossiemouth (A) Formartine (H) Nairn County (A) * denotes Fort "home game" Spoiler NB: Just for clarity the bottom HL side will play the winners of a 3-way playoff between the three Tier 6 leagues, if one or more league winners are not licenced then the Highest ranked Licensed club will play "Team 18" in the Play-off. If no league winner is licenced then "Team 18" will remain in the Highland League. The HL are fine with running a 17 or 19-team league so there should be no issues with double relegations and the like. The North Superleague (or Grampian League - as its supposed to be getting renamed) is really a one-horse race as Banks O'Dee are running away with the division. Fortunately they are licenced which means there should definitely be a playoff come May. Bridge of Don Thistle are on the same points but have played 6 games more because of BOD's Cup commitments. Culter and Hermes both could catch Thistle and would be teams to keep an eye out for in future seasons. Banks O' Dee are the only one of the top four licenced. Not doing the fixtures for this as Banks will win the league, so there's little point, but also because none have been released AFAIK. The North Caledonian League A joy to many on here is that the North Caley is now a bone-fide part of the pyramid and is thriving - having come close to collapsing a few years back. Clothing company Loch Ness (yes I was one of those guys who bought a shirt) are currently on course to win the league title as they are seven points clear of Invergordon with only five/six games to go. Golspie Sutherland and Orkney are both nine points adrift of the league leaders. Golspie are the only side in the league with a SFA Licence and none of the other clubs look like getting one anytime soon so it's very much only them that can be promoted to the HL. The Table Fixtures Loch Ness don't play for over a month, but have huge game against Invergordon in mid-March as Golspie and Orkney play each other. Golspie and Orkney must-win all their games to stay in contention. Date Loch Ness Invergordon Golspie Orkney 19th Feb ------- Orkney (H) St Duthus (A) Invergordon (A) 26th Feb ------- ------- Thurso (A) St Duthus (H) 12th Mar Halkirk (A) Bonar Bri (H) Alness Utd (H) St Duthus (A) 19th Mar Invergordon (H) Loch Ness (A) Orkney (H) Golspie (A) Midlands League First season of the new league and East Craigie have taken everyone by surprise in running away with the division. The Shipbuilders have recently bested Lochee United and can only be realistically caught by nearest challengers Carnoustie Panmure who have slowly caught up with the Dundee club in the last few weeks. The two clubs that are in the process of Club Licensing are Lochee United and Tayport, are currently sitting ahead of free-scoring Broughty Athletic in 3rd and 4th respectively, but would need a minor miracle to catch both the Shipbuilders and the Gowfers. However, with a 36 game season - there is still a bit of time for the two big boys to get their act together. The Table: Fixtures None of the big head-to-heads are scheduled in for the rest of the month but with floodlights installed at Tayport, Broughty and Lochee United - we might see more getting penned in. Regardless, shouldn't imagine too much change to the league table other than Carnoustie possible going top as they play games in the Shipbuilders' rest weeks. 5th March is the big game though. Must-win for Lochee United if they are to stay in the title fight. Date East Craigie Panmure Lochee United Tayport 12th Feb Blairgowrie (H) Coupar Angus (H) Violet (A) Broughty Athletic (H) 19th Feb Downfield (H) Forfar West End (A) Scone Th (H) Coupar Angus (A) 22nd Feb ----- Lochee Harp (A) 26th Feb -------- Arbroath Victoria (H) Downfield (H) Forfar West End (H) 5th Mar Lochee United (H) Kirrie Thistle (A) East Craigie (A) Arbroath Vic (H) TL;DR it's going to be Banks O'Dee vs Fort/Turriff or Strathspey in the playoff Edited February 9, 2022 by Ray Patterson 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superbigal Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Very good but East Craigie are the shipbuilders.Burntisland Shipyard are the shippy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 The Highland League is meant to wrap up on April 16th. Still haven't seen dates for when these play-offs are meant to take place. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Shaker Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 The Highland League begins catch-up games on Wednesday so we should finish for mid-April no bother. Hardly any games scheduled for the second half of March as things stand. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Patterson Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 10 hours ago, superbigal said: Very good but East Craigie are the shipbuilders. Burntisland Shipyard are the shippy. Knew I was gonna get something wrong. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invergowrie arab Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 I wouldn't say East Craigie are running away with it given they are 3 points ahead. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Hadn't noticed how closely Carnoustie had crept up on 1st place. I see they've played East Craigie twice already sharing wins. Starting to think East Craigie might well stumble in the final third. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grazza Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 For relegation from the highland league is there any boundaries regarding what league a relegated team would go to. Assume Turriff or Strathspey would go to North Superleague. Fort William more complicated do they get to opt which league they would go to or is this set? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongTimeLurker Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 The relegated club gets to choose. That apparently happened at the start of the season but nothing has been announced so far about who would go where. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 (edited) 6 hours ago, grazza said: For relegation from the highland league is there any boundaries regarding what league a relegated team would go to. Assume Turriff or Strathspey would go to North Superleague. Fort William more complicated do they get to opt which league they would go to or is this set? I expect Strathspey chose the NCL, Fort William too. Much easier to get back to the HL from. Edited February 8, 2022 by welshbairn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 19 minutes ago, welshbairn said: I expect Strathspey chose the NCL, Fort William too. Much easier to get back to the HL from. I think Fort William choose the NCL by default. Strathspey are a more interesting one since they have previous Junior experience. They were a decent First Division side before leaving for the Highland. Would they choose the greater stability of the North Region (26 league games, variety of cups) or a perhaps more winnable league in the NCL that has less depth to it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 1 minute ago, FairWeatherFan said: I think Fort William choose the NCL by default. Strathspey are a more interesting one since they have previous Junior experience. They were a decent First Division side before leaving for the Highland. Would they choose the greater stability of the North Region (26 league games, variety of cups) or a perhaps more winnable league in the NCL that has less depth to it. Travelling timewise the Midland wouldn't make much of a difference to Fort, and it would be a big GIRUY to the powers that be. Their new Chairman doesn't seem to be entirely balanced from his twitter feed. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairWeatherFan Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 13 minutes ago, welshbairn said: Travelling timewise the Midland wouldn't make much of a difference to Fort, and it would be a big GIRUY to the powers that be. Their new Chairman doesn't seem to be entirely balanced from his twitter feed. Aye, but flashing whatever cash he has in the NCL is likely going to lead to trophies. Being a glory hunter seems more likely. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossBFaeDundee Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 16 hours ago, FairWeatherFan said: Hadn't noticed how closely Carnoustie had crept up on 1st place. I see they've played East Craigie twice already sharing wins. Starting to think East Craigie might well stumble in the final third. I think Carnoustie had a few games in hand midway through the season that they've quietly won since, hence the quiet creeping up on East Craigie. The Shipbuilders looked to have been held pretty close by Letham on Saturday, they'll need McGrath to get back to scoring buckets quickly. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginaro Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 Important win for Turriff against Deveronvale. Fort William's result results have been more competitive despite playing three top teams, so their season basically starts next week against Strathspey and then Clach to close the 8 point gap (9 with goal difference). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Shaker Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 4 hours ago, Ginaro said: Important win for Turriff against Deveronvale. Fort William's result results have been more competitive despite playing three top teams, so their season basically starts next week against Strathspey and then Clach to close the 8 point gap (9 with goal difference). Their season started when they played Huntly, and I dare say they'll be a bit disappointed to only have landed one point from the Huntly/Wick combo. Saying that, their div online fan club would be disappointed if they only took one point off Chelsea. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginaro Posted March 5, 2022 Share Posted March 5, 2022 (edited) Loch Ness needing two points from their last three games to put the title beyond Golspie (a win v Halkirk next week would mean they only need a point from their final two for the title). Lochee United (if licensed) still need Carnoustie to drop points, 16 from a possible 21 needed from them. Meanwhile Fort William need 9 points from 11 games to avoid the drop... Edited March 5, 2022 by Ginaro 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Patterson Posted March 7, 2022 Author Share Posted March 7, 2022 (edited) Time for a little update, well I think so, so please join me Highland League Well it hasn't quite gone to plan for Fort William since my last update - their six-pointer against Strathspey Thistle fell victim to the elements and narrow defeats to Wick, Clach and last weekend to Lossie leave them sitting still on two points, while Turriff United have found some form at the right time, picking up five points, including a 6-0 win at Deveronvale and a draw against Formartine. This should be enough now for them to survive. The only saving grace for Fort, is that Strathspey Thistle are still only eight points ahead having also picked up nil point in the last month. The next month's fixtures are as follows: Date Fort William Strathspey Thistle Turriff United 9th Mar Nairn County (A)* ---------- ------------ 12th Mar Formartine Utd (A)* Turriff United (H) Strathspey Th (A) 16th Mar Forres Mechanics (A) Clachnacuddin (H) Rothes (H) 19th Mar Turriff United (A)* Brechin City (H) Fort William (H*) (hasn't been officially reversed yet) Both sides have 26th March free, so it could be used as the date for the six-pointer. Fort need to at least beat Turriff in this run-in as well as find a point from somewhere else and hope the Speysiders don't pick up any points at all, to even have a chance of staying in touch into April. North Superleague Well this is nicely all done and dusted as Banks O'Dee confirm their title victory for what may be their last league title for a few years, and more importantly confirm that there will indeed be a promotion/relegation play-off for the very first time. Place your bets now on who wins that title next season (if BOD are playing HL football). North Caledonian In my last round-up I said "Loch Ness aren't due to play for a month" but they've played two very important matches in that time, a victory over Alness United, and a 2-3 defeat to Invergordon in the top of the table clash. Which keeps the league very intriguing, unfortunately, it looks like Golspie Sutherland's title and promotion challenge is over as they are 11 behind Loch Ness with only four games remaining. As mentioned Invergordon beat Loch Ness 3-2 and backed that up with a 4-2 win over Thurso to cut the gap to four points, with a game in hand over the leaders. With both sides unlicensed, it doesn't affect a promotion, but could be key for Scottish Cup qualification for next season, as well as the bragging rights of the league title. Halkirk United also have a small chance of winning the title but would need to win all of their final six games. Fixtures for the next month (although this was wrong last month): Date Loch Ness Invergordon Halkirk United 12th Mar Halkirk Utd (A) Bonar Bridge (H) Loch Ness (H) 19th Mar -------- Nairn Colts (A) Inverness Athletic (H) 23rd Mar -------- ------------ Golspie Sutherland (A) 26th Mar Tain St Duthus (A) Halkirk Utd (H) Invergordon (A) A couple of big games in there with Saturday possibly providing Invergordon the chance to be in pole position for the league title if results go their way. A very exciting end to the season up North. Midlands League A big shift this weekend with Carnoustie Panmure finally leading the standings as they had an excellent last few weeks, that saw them put 15 past a woeful Lochee Harp outfit and better Coupar Angus, Kirrie Thistle and Arbroath Victoria. Despite wins over Blairgowrie and Downfield, surprise leaders East Craigie's 25-match unbeaten run came to end on Saturday as they lost out 1-0 to Lochee United at Thomson Park, a result that the 'Chee needed to keep their slim hopes of the league title and promotion alive. Lochee United were victorious over Violet and Downfield before Saturday's important 1-0 victory. If the Shipbuilders and Lochee United win their games in hand over Panmure - the three sides will be separated by six points, with the top two level pegging. Fixtures Date Carnoustie Panmure East Craigie Lochee United 12th Mar Letham (H) Lochee Harp (H) Broughty Ath (H) 19th Mar Dundee North End (H) Broughty Ath (H) Coupar Angus (A) 26th Mar Blairgowrie (A) In Cup Action Brechin Victoria (H) Anything less than 9 points for Panmure would be a disaster. While Craigie should run up a cricket score against Harp, the Ferry game will be very tricky and a loss in that could allow Panmure to build up a nine-point lead. Lochee United have a must-win game against Broughty next weekend (which I hope to get to) they will need to win every game from now to the end of the season and hope others slip up. It could be a very exciting end to the season. TL;DR - Banks O'Dee in Playoff, Lochee United have a very slim shot of joining them; winners will almost certainly play Fort William, unless they can start picking up wins. Edited March 7, 2022 by Ray Patterson 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted March 7, 2022 Share Posted March 7, 2022 Given their GD basically Fort William - with 0 wins all season (indeed 0 since 8th Feb 2020) - require 3 more wins from 11 games than Strathspey get in 10; or 4 + 1 draw more than Turiff get in 6? Certainly "tall order"... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginaro Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 23 hours ago, Ray Patterson said: North Caledonian With both sides unlicensed, it doesn't affect a promotion, but could be key for Scottish Cup qualification for next season, as well as the bragging rights of the league title. Halkirk United also have a small chance of winning the title but would need to win all of their final six games. TL;DR - Banks O'Dee in Playoff, Lochee United have a very slim shot of joining them; winners will almost certainly play Fort William, unless they can start picking up wins. Unless the SFA change their rules, the North Caledonian winners won't be rewarded with qualification to the Scottish Cup. And of course Lochee's promotion depends on whether they are licensed - there is an additional licensing committee meeting in May but that might be too late for the play-off. 39 minutes ago, HibeeJibee said: Given their GD basically Fort William - with 0 wins all season (indeed 0 since 8th Feb 2020) - require 3 more wins from 11 games than Strathspey get in 10; or 4 + 1 draw more than Turiff get in 6? Certainly "tall order"... They do have five games against the four teams directly above them though, while Strathspey and Turiff only have a couple of games against those near them. But they need to be turning their narrowish defeats into points... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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