Published: 15:58, 20 August 2026
There was very late heartbreak for the valiant Jags as local boy Brora loanee Jake Rodgers struck deep into injury time in his team’s 2-1 win over 10-man Strathspey Thistle.
They have moved two points clear at the top of the Highland League after claiming all three points at Seafield Park last night.
The Cattachs got off to a good start when they found the net after 10 minutes as James Anderson pounced on a goalkeeping mistake.
But the Jags drew level three minutes into the second half when Robbie Thompson equalised.
Strathspey were reduced to 10 men three minutes later when Rorie Macleod was sent off but looked like holding on for a draw.
However, Rodgers, from Kingussie and on loan from Inverness Caley Thistle, popped up to deliver a sucker punch with the winner in the 92nd minute
Meanwhile Jags boss Aaron Doran believes that new arrival the vastly experienced Kyle MacLeod will add the finishing touch to the rebuild at Seafield Park.
Strathspey Thistle’s raid on Forres Mechanics continued with MacLeod becoming the third player to switch the Cans for the Jags this summer.
The highly regarded 31-year-old striker follows defenders Cohen Ramsay and Ryan McRitchie at the Grantown club.
Doran believes that MacLeod will be a great fit for his side once the players around him get to know his strengths.
He said: “We need to play to suit him as well. He’s got a really good touch, brings players into play, is good in the air and aggressive so he’s exactly what we wanted…
“We knew that we needed a striker to hold the ball up well and link the players just behind him and Kyle will do that and will be a big player for the club.”
The Jags travel away this Saturday to face Turriff United who sat in fifth place ahead of yesterday’s league fixtures.
The Grantown side is unbeaten on the road this season.
Meanwhile Ali Morrison and Zach MacPhee have joined up with their former boss Ryan Esson at Rothes.
Doran said that the club could not offer either young player guaranteed regular football following the influx at Seafield Park over the summer and they had decided to move on.
He said: “They are really good players and good signings for Rothes. Zach got player of the season in the last campaign.
“Zach is a young lad and he wanted to play week in week out and he will get that opportunity which he needs to develop at Rothes.
“Ali played at right back when we had that really good spell last season and he is another young lad who needs regular football. It was going to be difficult for him to get a lot of game time this season.
“I wish them both all the best - they have done really well for me since I came in.”
MacPhee joined the Jags in May 2024 while Morrison arrived in July, lat year, with both establishing themselves in the Thistle defence until the summer’s influx.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.