Latest News & Updates
Tain Thistle 5 Inver 3
Tain once again came from behind in front of a big crowd to put to bed Inver and go three points clear today at Tain Links.

An early Inver goal from a corner was cancelled out by two quick fire goals before HT. A Jamie Skinner cross met the head of his younger cousin Aaron Skinner to equalise from a looped header before a left footed strike from Finn As-Chainey after a driving run into the box put Thistle 2-1 up at the break.

The second half began with a flurry of Tain goals as Finn got on the end of a sublime cross field pass from Mikey Grimes. John Maclellan slotted a calm finish inside the box before Alan Duff put the game to bed from a left footed strike to silence the Inver faithful.

Both teams went down to 10 men as Maclellan along with an Inver defender were sent off for violent conduct, before Inver scored two consolation goals.

Picture - The outstanding Aaron Skinner scoring his goal, who was closely pipped by his older cousin Jamie for man of the match (Taken by Scott Macdonald)

Team – Ritchie, Duff, Smith, J.Skinner, As-Chainey, Grimes, Macritchie, A.Skinner, Scott, Maclellan, Hulme. Subs - Ali, Edwards, Knox, Delgado, Martin
Tain Thistle 2 Social Club 1
Tain Thistle returned from the ashes last night, playing their first game since 2019 – and they got off to a victorious start.

In front of a good crowd on a mild Wednesday night at Grant Park, there were several familiar faces on the park as they saw off their Invergordon visitors with goals in either half.

New manager John Maclellan called upon the services of several Thistle stalwarts to put the squad together, such as himself, Johnny Allan, Arron Christie, Alan Duff, Martyn Farquhar, Daniel Christie, Liam Rostock, Andy Durrand and Darran Goller.

There were first time appearances also for youngsters Shadi Ali and Adrian Voigt, who have been playing North Caledonian League football during the winter with Bonar Bridge and St Duthus, respectively. Maclellan also called in defenders Niall Grant and Andy Kellock to make their debuts.

Invergordon Social Club opened the scoring after nine minutes with a goal from Callum Murray.

Thistle were on level pegging a quarter of an hour later when Daniel Christie hit a low strike from 20 yards to beat Stefan Pietrzic in the Social goal.

It was honours even for the majority of the second half but the finale was left to Thistle's record goalscorer, Liam Rostock, who popped up to head home from close range and ultimately win the match for his side.

The win puts Thistle joint top alongside Inver who beat Melvich 5-1 on Saturday. The two winning sides meet at Osprey Park on Saturday, with the winner set to open up an early three point lead at the top of the North West Sutherland League 2 table.

Teams:

Thistle – Allan, Kellock, Grant, A Christie, Duff, Farquhar, Voigt, D Christie, Rostock, Goller, Ali. Subs: Maclellan, Durrand, Shearer

Social – Pietrzic, Mitchell, Macdonald, Morrison, Sangwin, Ross, Henderson, Urquhart, Sutherland, Murray, Keith. Subs: O Campbell, Monaghan, B Campbell, C Macleod, Hossack

Ref – David Ross
Jags off to a 'quacking' start
Tain Thistle got their fundraising efforts off to a 'quacking' start this week.

A first for the Jags - the club were delighted to hold their first ever 'Duck Race' on Thursday night.

Ably assisted by Ally Maclellan, Liam and Abi Rostock, Gordy Mackay and Stuart Morrison of Tain Golf Club, new manager John Maclellan was the MC for event, streaming live on Facebook, as the competition took place.

A sold-out flock of 200 ducks were launched into the river near Tain Golf Course and made their way downstream before crossing the finish line.

The results are in and we are delighted to announce the winners of the first ever Tain Thistle AFC 'Duck Race' fundraiser, hosted by Tain Golf Club.

5th Place - £10 - Will Ross

4th Place - £10 - Rebecca Crawford

3rd Place - £10 - Brian MacAngus

2nd Place - £50 - Lyle Mackay

And topping the pack, congratulations go to our first ever Duck Race winner - Dennis Albott who has won £150, a bottle of Glenmorangie whisky, and a stay for two at the Morangie House Hotel, Tain. Well done Dennis!

John said: "A big thank you to everyone who supported via social media. Now that we have the first one under our belts, we will be looking to do this next year with improvements to make it bigger and better!

"The ducks will now fly south for the winter but we are sure to see them return next spring being heavier, larger and with more of them.

"One last plug for our opening match of the season and first in four years - Wednesday 26th – we welcome Invergordon Social Club FC to Grant Park for a 7pm kick off and we would love to see you there."
Thistle to play in NWS League 2
The return of three amateur teams from Easter Ross and Sutherland has resulted in the creation of a two-tiered league system for this year's North West Sutherland amateur football league.

A total of ten amateur sides registered for this year's competitions – two more than last year – and with an eye on a timely finish, the league have opted for a return to two divisions, a system last used in 2019. Among the new members are 2019 champions, Tain Thistle, who confirmed their participation at the weekend after a last-minute appointment of a new manager.

The Easter Ross side are joined by fellow returnees, Brora Wanderers and Invergordon Social Club.

Reigning league champions Helmsdale United will be joined by last year's top-six placed clubs Golspie, Lairg, Lochbroom and Lochinver in the top tier, while Dornoch City, who finished fourth, have opted to take a year out. Bottom placed sides Inver and Melvich will be joined by the three 'returnees' in the second tier.

Teams will play each other twice in the divisional format, with promotion and relegation in place. Games are expected to kick off on Saturday April 22, with fixures played on Saturdays and occasional midweek dates.

It is anticipated that the teams will also compete for the Stafford Cup at some point during the summer season.
John Mac: Time to give something back
They were, at one time, one of the most decorated amateur football teams in the north. But long-time summer contenders, Tain Thistle, have not kicked a ball in anger since 2019.

Now, as the new season looms, one of the team's former players is setting the wheels in motion for a dramatic revival.

First established in 1997 by Gordon and Pat Burry as a welfare football club, the club competed for many years as members of the now defunct Ross-shire Welfare League.

The club eventually built a reputation as a proving ground for young players from Tain and the surrounding area, with several youngsters, such as Garry Perks, Steven Martin, Liam Rostock and Arron Christie, also finding their feet at Highland League level.

The 'Jags' finally achieved success on the park in 2007 when they won the Pattisons' Challenge Cup, before the club went on to win the Ross-shire Welfare League itself in 2009, and again in 2013.

By the end of the 2010s, they had become the dominant force in the league, with multiple cup successes and three back-to-back league championships (in 2015, 2016 and 2017) to their name.

The collapse of the Ross-shire Welfare FA in 2018 meant that Thistle had to make a switch to amateur status and it was then that they found a home in the North West Sutherland amateur league.

The away days were further flung, but they were able to continue their success – winning the North West Sutherland AFA league title and the Polla Cup in 2018, and the league once more in 2019.

But like many clubs, things came to a standstill during the pandemic. Team manager Tony Farquhar announced his decision to step down in 2021, and when the league resumed competition in 2022, the club opted out of competing.

Fast forward one year and from the ashes, a new hope arises.

This year, the club have appointed a new manager in ex-player, John Maclellan – and he says he is ready to put Tain Thistle back on the summer football map.

The club also confirmed that they have rejoined the North West Sutherland Amateur League for 2023 and will compete in Division 2 of the new set up.

Maclellan, who lives in Edderton and works locally as a PE teacher, believes that it is time for him, and players like him, to give something back.

He said: "So many people over the years have put in so much of their own time and effort running Tain Thistle for teams that I’ve been involved in, and I’m excited about the opportunity to take that on myself and give something back."

The new gaffer, who first played for Thistle at the age of 15, returned to Scotland last summer after six years working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he played for amateurs Dubai All Stars.

He added: "I’ve got so many good memories of playing for Tain as a schoolboy and being shown the ropes by boys such as Darran Goller and Marty Farquhar. We’ve had a lot of success over the years, and looking back, kicking a ball for Tain and having the craic with the boys is always a part of the year I’ve looked forward to.

"Three years is too long for a club like Tain Thistle to not be competing, and I’m looking forward to helping get the club back where it belongs."

Press article: https://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/sport/its-time-to-give-something-back-says-new-manager-of-tain-307771
Stafford Cup Draw for 2020
The first round of the Stafford Cup will be played on Saturday 18th April, with draw having been made as follows:

Lochinver v Dornoch City

Golspie Stafford v Brora Wanderers

Lochbroom v Inver

Melvich v Kinlochbervie

TAIN THISTLE v Embo

Byes - Helmsdale United, Invergordon Social Club & Lairg Rovers

The subsequent rounds shall be played at weekly intervals, allowing only for the prelim. round of the Highland Amateur Cup on April 25th. The first league matches will be played on May 30th.
Jags lift fifth consecutive league title
Despite clinching the title off the park last weekend (due to results elsewhere), the Jags had to wait until full time away to Lochinver to get their hands on the North West Sutherland League championship trophy.

The title win is marks back to back championships since joining the amateur ranks two seasons ago, and their fifth in a row overall, having won the Ross-shire Welfare in 2015, 2016 and 2017 also.

The Jags collected the trophy in style with a 12 goal celebration away to Lochinver at Culag Park. The game finished 9-3 in Tain's favour, with Liam Rostock notching a hat-trick. Darran Goller and Finn As-Chainey chipped in with two goals each, while Robbie Murray and David Mackay also scored.

The Polla Cup remains the only outstanding competition, a one game final due to be played between Thistle and the winners of Division 2, Lairg Rovers.
Golspie Stafford 1 Tain Thistle 4
All the action took place in the first half at Stafford Park, as a late rout before the interval put Thistle out of sight – despite Golspie having taken the lead.

The home side had gone ahead after 20 minutes when Mark Mackenzie worked his way through the Tain defence before finding the bottom corner with a brilliant strike. It took until the 38th minute for Tain to get back in the game though and the goal came from Liam Rostock who levelled with a cute chip over the Golspie stopper.

Finn As-Chainey was next to score, giving Tain the lead with a finish from close range. A Darran Goller double put Thistle on easy street for a quieter second half. They weren’t without their problems, however, as goalkeeper Steven Martin found himself dismissed for an off the ball incident.
Tain Thistle 0 Brora Wanderers 1
Brora Wanderers needed just one goal to humble champions Tain Thistle at the Links today. A first half goal from Jon Campbell, who pounced on a short clearance from the goalkeeper before lobbing the Tain custodian from 30 yards was all that separated the sides at half time.

It could have been 2-0 but a second half penalty for Wanderers was saved well by Will Macrae, and at the other end a foul on the Brora goalkeeper denied Tain their only netbound effort.

In the latter stages, the home side were unlucky not to score with a Finn As-Chainey shot that deflected onto the crossbar as the signs were that it was not going to be their day.

Thistle’s push for an equaliser was against a Brora side who were defending resolutely, and against Tain’s best efforts the Wanderers held on to claim an impressive away win.
Jags ousted by Staxigoe in Highland Amateur Cup
It was to be another first round exit for Tain Thistle in the Highland Amateur Cup, losing 3-1 to Staxigoe United this afternoon.

During an evenly contested first half both keepers were called into action, and on twenty minutes Thistle thought they had broken the deadlock when the ball appeared to have crossed the line – but referee Eric Robertson waved play on.

The Caithness side eventually opened the scoring with 10 minutes of the half left through Martin Banks but within five minutes Darran Goller had equalised. Capitulation followed in the second period as Staxigoe netted twice in the final twenty minutes to put the game beyond Tain.

Staxigoe retook the lead via an unfortunate Paul Cowie own goal and the final goal to make it 3-1 was a second for Banks.
Match Highlights: Melvich v Tain Thistle
Match highlights, courtesy of Darren Manson, Picture House.
Melvich 3 Tain Thistle 5
There were goals aplenty in Melvich in a back and forth affair. Thistle got off to a great start with a goal after just three minutes, when new signing Shaun Kerr headed in from an Arron Christie corner.

Kerr made it 2-0 seven minutes before the break with a good finish from six yards out after David Mackay found the striker inside the box with a cross. As the second half began, Melvich pulled a goal back from a corner kick, Kyle Innes beating Stevie Campbell with a headed effort.

The North Sutherland side must have been taking inspiration from England’s midweek European hopefuls as they proceeded to complete the comeback to make it 2-2 when James Murray nodded home from a corner — and ten minutes later Martyn Cook put the home side ahead with a shot from inside the area to leave Thistle reeling.

Were it not for some good goalkeeping from Campbell, the home side could have extended their lead. But Melvich’s resolve was tested just minutes later when Gordy Mackay was able to sweep the ball home to make it 3-3.

From then on, it was Thistle who showed the metal to retake control when Darran Goller finished from a tight angle to make it 4-3.

There was to be no second Melvich comeback this time though, and with five minutes remaining Goller netted again, this time with a header to wrap up the win.
Jags knocked out of Stafford Cup
In the early kick off at Ferrycroft Park, Lairg Rovers had put three past Thistle after just 20 minutes. Liam Mcleod opened the scoring with a good finish from six yards on the end of a Michael Newlands cross.

Michael Newlands doubled their advantage four minutes later when he pounced on a loose ball and rounded the keeper.

Newlands netted again on twenty minutes getting on the end of a clearance from Craig Ross, but shorty after, Thistle reduced the deficit with a goal following a penalty award for a foul on Finn As-Chainey; Liam Rostock putting away the resultant spot kick.

Lairg remained undettered in their first half assault though, and Adam Mackay added a fourth before the interval, scoring with a neatly hit volley which cannoned in off the post.

Thistle stemmed the tide in the second half and on 55 minutes, Darran Goller reduced the scoreline to 4-2 after rounding the keeper.

The comeback continued as Goller netted again just five minutes later heading home a Cammy Mackintosh cross, leaving just a goal between the sides.

The Jags were given further hope when Craig Ross was red carded with half an hour remaining — but there was to be no equaliser as the home side held on to advance to the semi-final.
Stafford Cup: Tain Thistle 6 Melvich 0
League champions Tain Thistle are competing in the Stafford Cup for the first time this year and they got off to a winning start on Saturday with a 6-0 win against visitors Melvich at the Links Playing Fields.

19 year old winger Finn As-Chainey set the pace on 13 minutes when he slotted the ball past Melvich ‘keeper Brian Mackay after good work from Will Ross.

There was hardly time for a comeback before Mackay was beaten again, this time by one of his own defenders, as Kerr Mackay deflected a low drilled cross from As-Chainey into the net.

It was 3-0 on 30 minutes with another goal from As-Chainey and the same player had the chance of a hat-trick minutes later, but Mackay was up to the challenge and saved well.

Christopher ‘Chippie’ Mailley made it four ten minutes before half time when he collected the ball just outside the box and scored with a low drive which cannoned off the upright and into the net.

With the game all but over as a contest by the second half, things went from bad to worse for Melvich when Connor Mackintosh was sent his marching orders.

It was left to Thistle striker Liam Rostock to add to the tally for Tain after that, netting with a spot kick after As-Chainey had been brought down in the box.

Substitute Gordy Mackay made it 6-0 shortly after being introduced. Receiving the ball from Cammy Mackintosh, Mackay’s initial shot came back off the post but the forward was quick to the rebound and fired home.
Jags draw Staxigoe in Highland Amateur Cup
The draw for the 2019 Gow's of Lybster Highland Amateur Cup took place on Saturday 30th March at the National Hotel Dingwall and drawn into the first round of the competition, Tain Thistle will play at home against Caithness amateur side Staxigoe United.

The fixture will be Thistle's second crack at the Highland Amateur Cup, having been handed a baptism of fire last year, losing out in the first round to eventual winners Pentland United after extra time.

As defending North West Sutherland league champions, Tain will be hopeful of giving a better showing to secure a place in the next round. The first round games are scheduled for Saturday, May 11th.

Before their Highland Amateur Cup game, the Jags will begin their season on Saturday, April 13th with a Stafford Cup first round match against Melvich at the Links.
Sixth annual Texas Scramble a success
In the most miserable of conditions, we held our sixth annual Texas Scramble at Tain Golf Club today, which raised a substantial amount towards club funds.

Our thanks go to the Golf Club itself, Stuart Morrison, Gus Gurney and Richard Green, as well as Willie Rostock who held our raffle. We also wish to thank our prize donors Bannermans Fish Shop, Alan Duff, Stevie Martin, Martin Corbett, Tony Farquhar, Frank Sutherland and Willie who all made the raffle possible.

The winners on the day were the team of Paddy Murray, Scott Macdougall, Cameron Macdougall and Malcolm Macdougall. Well done to them! Raymond Lockie claimed the prize for Longest Drive, while Paddy Murray made it a double celebration by collecting the Closest to the Pin prize.

Lastly, we must say a big thanks to all teams who competed today to make the Scramble another huge success for us, and a brilliant fundraiser for Tain Thistle AFC as we look forward to the summer ahead.
Polla Cup added to Thistle honours' list
Rounding off their 2018 season, Tain Thistle resoundingly defeated Lairg Rovers at the Highland Football Academy tonight, beating their high scoring rivals 6-1 to capture the Polla Cup for the first time.

The Polla Cup is traditionally contested between the two highest scoring teams in the league at the end of the summer season.

The goals on the night for the Jags came from Darran Goller (2), Cameron Mackintosh (3) and Chippie Mailley.
Tain Thistle win North West Sutherland League
With today's resounding 8-2 win over Lochinver FC, Tain Thistle AFC have been crowned champions of the North West Sutherland AFA. The club is delighted to have won every point on the park and to have visited many new grounds during this summer -- and to become the first team in living memory to have won back-to-back league titles in two different counties!

What an achievement. Come on the Jags!

Well done to Liam Rostock who finished as our top scorer with 18 goals this season - a great return from the club's all-time marksman - and congratulations also to Martyn Farquhar who made his 200th appearance for Thistle today - what a game to do it in.

Thank you to the NWSAFA for welcoming our club into contention, it has been an enjoyable and well fought league campaign - we look forward to many more seasons ahead, although we've still got the Polla Cup to play for!

Finally, our biggest vote of thanks must go to our gaffer Tony Farquhar who works tirelessly to make everything happen with the Jags these days. We can't thank him enough for the time and energy he puts into it all. I'm sure winning titles like today makes it all worth it!
Tain Thistle 4 Kinlochbervie 2
Tain Thistle moved two points clear at the top of the North West Sutherland AFA league table today thanks to a 4-2 win over visiting Kinlochbervie.

Match report to follow.
Golspie Stafford 1 Tain Thistle 2
The Jags were faced with their stiffest test of the season thus far when they travelled to Golspie to meet the local Stafford.

A switch to Friday night gave Thistle an opportunity to move on to the same points tally as Dornoch City at the top of the table - and they grabbed the chance with both hands by securing a confident 2-1 win.

With twenty minutes gone, Liam Rostock was brought down and a penalty was awarded to the Jags. The same man made no mistake from twelve yards to give Thistle a deserved first half lead.

Midway through the second half, good approach play from Daniel Christie, Cammy Mackintosh and Darran Goller led to the latter firing towards goal, but his shot was blocked. The ball fell into the path of Rostock who slotted home to give Thistle a 2-0 lead.

James Macrae pulled a goal back from a free kick for the home side six minutes later, before a dramatic late "stramash" saw each side have a player dismissed; Thistle's Ally Mackintosh amongst those given his marching orders after participating in a quick session of sparring.

Team: Allan, D Mackay, Macleod, Dingwall, A Christie, Cowie (T Farquhar 75), Macgruer, D Christie, C Mackintosh, Goller, Rostock (A Mackintosh 85)
Tain Thistle 2 Dornoch City 0
Thistle moved one step closer to the top of the table on Saturday when they defeated league leaders Dornoch City by 2 goals to nil at the Links.

The match was won in comfortable fashion although the Jags left it late to finish the match off.

Darran Goller gave Tain an early lead when he finished well to give Cameron Hook no chance in the Dornoch goal.

It could have been 2-0 soon after were it not for Paul Cowie shooting over the crossbar. Thistle rarely looked flustered during a busy first half, but they couldn't extend the lead before the break.

Shortly after the restart, Gordy Mackay was forced to withdraw due to injury and he was replaced by Dave Macgruer.

The winner eventually came from Alan Duff after a great ball in field sent the defender clean through on goal and he beat Hook with a cool finish.

Thistle had chances to add to the tally late on when Tony Farquhar headed over the bar and Goller hit the crossbar with a looped effort from an angle, but the score remained 2-0.

Team: Allan, Durrand, Duff, D Mackay, A Christie, Cowie (Ross 78), G Mackay (Macgruer 50), C Mackintosh, Rostock, Goller (T Farquhar 85), D Christie
Tain Thistle 4 Lairg Rovers 3
Tain Thistle recorded their first home win of the season on Saturday with a 4-3 win over Lairg Rovers. Daniel Christie and Cammy Mackintosh joined the squad for the first time this year, and making a surprise return from the bench for the first time in over a year was Dave MacGruer, who has been recovering from a long term injury.

Lairg took a surprise lead through Miller Mackay after just ten minutes but just a couple of minutes later Cammy Mackintosh made it a goalscoring return to the side when he left Conor Mackay in a pickle between the sticks with an awkward shot.

Thistle asserted themselves well and took the lead on 35 minutes thanks to a majestic left foot strike from Graham Noble from 30 yards. The remaining five minutes of the first half saw two further goals scored.

Miller Mackay was first up as he netted his second, this time from the penalty spot after a foul committed Alan Duff - but Duff did well to atone for his mistake four minutes later to put the Jags 3-2 up.

Disappointingly for the Tain men, Gordy Mackay was then forced to withdraw at the half time break due to injury, with Paul Cowie being introduced as his replacement.

Thistle made hard work of it in the second half and struggled to put the game beyond their opponents, despite extending their lead after just five minutes when Noble struck again, hitting a loose ball low into the net from the edge of the box to give Mackay no chance.

Lairg did manage to pull a goal back in injury time though, when Shane McKay struck home the rebound following a save from Daniel Cormack, but it was too little too late for Joe Sutherland's men as the full time whistle followed just seconds later.

Team: Cormack, Duff, Durrand, A Christie, D Mackay, C Mackintosh, Noble (Macgruer 63), D Christie (T Farquhar 87), Rostock, Goller, G Mackay (Cowie 46)
Thistle prepared for strengthened Lairg side
After a fortnight’s break, the Jags welcome Lairg Rovers to the Links for what will be their latest North West Sutherland league match on Saturday.

Thistle will be looking to record their first home win of the season, having lost 5-2 to Brora in their last game at the Links. Team manager Tony Farquhar is expected to have more players at his disposal than in recent games. This weekend, Cammy Mackintosh is among those returning, having recovered from a broken hand.

The visitors have been in mixed form so far this season but have had no problem finding the net. The Lairg men have made several additions for their 2018 campaign and are expected to be among the teams challenging for the league title.

Tain’s performance against Rovers tomorrow will give the manager and his squad a good indication of their standing amongst their new North West Sutherland peers.

The game kicks off at 4pm.
Melvich 3 Tain Thistle 7
Tain Thistle secured their first win of the 2018 season with the lion's share in a ten goal thriller at Melvich today.

An eight minute hat-trick for Gordy Mackay was the highlight of a first half goal flurry for the Jags which saw them end the first period five goals to the good before they rounded off the win in the second half.

It took until the 35th minute for Mackay to open the scoring when he tucked away a long throw from Liam Rostock and immediately after, Murray Mackintosh netted to make it 2-0 with a header.

Mackay scored his second five minutes before the break after good work from Rostock and just three minutes later Mackay made it 4-0 with a superb strike from 20 yards out to record his treble.

To compound Melvich's misery, Arron Christie made it five on the stroke of half time with a low drive from outside the box which flew into the bottom corner.

Melvich fired back through James Murray within five minutes of the restart with two quick goals to reduce the deficit, but Liam Rostock headed home a Christie corner at the other end to make it 6-2 just after the hour mark.

Ten minutes later, Christie scored his second of the game to make it 7-2.

A goal for Melvich with a quarter hour remaining added to the second half goal tally, but the outcome remained academic, as Thistle ran out 7-3 winners to record their first points of the league campaign.

Team: Cormack, D Mackay, Noble, A Christie, Noble, I Mackintosh, Fraser, M Mackintosh, T Farquhar, Rostock, G Mackay
Thistle to tackle Melvich trip in low numbers
A long 70-plus mile trip to the North coast of Sutherland awaits the Jags this weekend as they travel to play Melvich in their first away game of the new North West Sutherland AFA season.

Injuries and absences continue to haunt player manager Tony Farquhar in his pursuit of a squad for the game, as Thistle look to steer the ship back on track by recording a first win in 2018. Despite the stuttering start, Farquhar remains in buoyant mood ahead of Saturday's match.

He said: "It's a bit of a task for sure, but I'm sure there will be weeks when we have 20 players at our disposal and I'll be faced with a different dilemma then."

Melvich will be no easy proposition, as was evidenced in their opening 4-4 draw against title contenders Lairg Rovers last weekend. A double from James Murray helped Melvich to the point, just a week after the same player had netted twice for Pentland United in the Highland Amateur Cup, against Thistle.