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  • Latest News | Tain Thistle AFC
  • Double prize at stake for Balintore visit

    <img class="imgleft" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/jardine1.jpg">There will be two prizes up for grabs this Wednesday as Tain Thistle welcome Balintore to the Links. As well as 3 points in the Ross-shire Welfare league, the clubs will contest the Graham Jardine Memorial Quaich, last played for during the 2009/10 North Caledonian league between the sides.<br /><br />The Quaich is traditionally played for upon the first league meeting at Tain between the two, but with neither town entering a side in the Highland reserve, they have elected to introduce the prize to their Welfare football calendar. Graham's parents, Jean and Jim, will be on hand to present the Quaich to the victorious team. In the event that the league match ends as a draw, a special penalty shootout will be overseen by referee Billy Murray to decide the winner of the Quaich.

  • Latest News | Tain Thistle AFC
  • Gaffer seeks improvement for Balintore showdown

    <img class="imgright" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/gary2013.jpg">Speaking after the disappointing cup loss to Fortrose, Tain Thistle manager Gary Ross is looking to his squad to improve ahead of their opening league match against local rivals Balintore.<br /><br /><i>"I feel that we've allowed one very poor referee's decision to become the main topic and it's the main topic because we were unable to put the game to bed, which, being honest, we should have done."<br /><br />"After the disappointing cup exit today, we welcome Balintore for our first home match of the season on Wednesday. This game gives us the opportunity to put the wrongs right, and record our first competitive victory of 2013. Hopefully we can all step up a gear and make it an enjoyable match for all."</i>

  • Latest News | Tain Thistle AFC
  • Late Wester Ross goal haunts Juniors

    The U17s of Tain Juniors played their first home game on Friday night, finishing in a disappointing 3-3 draw with rival SWL side Wester Ross U17s. <br /><br />The Tain lads took the lead with a beautiful lob from Rory Vass placed over the keeper from 20 yards. Two clear chances to score followed as Tain pushed their Western visitors but were unable to convert them. As the first half came to a close, very much against the run of play, Wester Ross equalised.<br /><br />The away side eventually took the lead with a free header in the second half but within five minutes Tain were awarded a penalty. Scoring his second in as many games, Josh Rodgers neatly converted the spot kick. Tain took the lead once again as Dean Ross was played through on goal with a great pass from Micah Spence to calmly slot his effort past the Wester Ross keeper.<br /><br />At 3-2, it looked as though the Juniors would see the victory out, however with the last kick of the ball, Wester Ross were awarded a penalty. The visitors ably slotted past Dylan Chapman in the Tain goal to make it 3-3.<br /><br />Speaking after the game, coach Mark Stainke left his squad with a stark warning, quoted as saying <i>"Let's hope the boys can give a better performance away to Dingwall next week or they will get another roasting!"</i><br /><br /><img border="0" align="none" alt="" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/tain_juniors2.jpg">

  • Latest News | Tain Thistle AFC
  • Controversial opening for Thistle in League Cup

    Tain Thistle's opening competitive match ended in controversial fashion as a refereeing error left a bitter taste in Jags mouths. New side Fortrose Union battled towards a 2-1 win on their home turf despite going 1-0 down in extra time.<br /><br />In a closely fought game, honours were even at 0-0 after ninety minutes - a rarity in Ross-shire Welfare football - the only breakthrough coming from Keith Dingwall as he headed home on 70 minutes, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul on Fortrose keeper Martin Smith. Thistle undoubtedly enjoyed the lion's share of possession and chances during the game, but failed to make it count against a determined and motivated Fortrose side making their Ross-shire Welfare debut.<br /><br />The unfortunate story of normal time was the unique performance of the "referee". Fortrose midfielder Jordan Black, having received a yellow card during the earlier stages of the second half was dismissed for a second bookable offence a quarter hour later, however the official elected to "allow" the home side to replace the player instead of reducing them to ten men. An exchange of words followed between the Tain dugout and the official however little order or agreement was mustered and the game took an ugly turn. Details of the incident and a report have been filed with the RSWFA.<br /><br /><img border="0" align="none" alt="" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/fortrose2.jpg"><br /><br />In the first period of extra time, Keith Dingwall nodded home once again after five minutes, this time making it count to put Thistle 1-0 up. The lead was held for only five minutes though, as Union substitute Kenny McIver pounced on a rebound during a goalmouth scramble to equalise. Chances fell to many a Tain player throughout the rest of additional time, however Fortrose hit the Jags on the counter and Kieran Fitzpatrick deflected a rebound past Martin to score with three minutes remaining.<br /><br />Try as they might, Thistle were unable to make chances count in the dying moments and Fortrose went on to win the match by 2 goals to 1.<br /><br /><b>Team:</b><br />Martin, Davis, Durrand, A Christie, Dingwall, Ross (Oliver), Farquhar, D Christie, Sutherland (Morgan), Rostock (Wood), Maclellan<br /><br /><b>Goals:</b><br />Dingwall<br /><br /><b>Booked:</b><br />Davis, Farquhar, Sutherland

  • Latest News | Tain Thistle AFC
  • Tain Thistle 2 Golspie Stafford 1

    For the second time in ten days, Tain Thistle recorded a win over East Sutherland amateur league champions Golspie Stafford, in what will be the team's final preparation for the forthcoming Ross-shire Welfare league season.<br /><br />With Darran Goller and Vinnie Wood still absent (ankle injuries), gaffer Gary Ross had an otherwise full squad at his disposal for the evening, as the Jags debuted their new home kit - kindly sponsored by The Railway Hotel.<br /><br />It took Thistle just over ten minutes to take the lead, following a sustained period of pressure; midfielder <b>Chris Mailley</b> lashing a ball past the Stafford keeper from distance. The returning Jamie Macdonald was unlucky not to make it two shortly after a shot sent wide.<br /><br />At the other end, Stafford nearly equalised five minutes before the break when they struck the crossbar; Scott Innes for Tain taking a glancing blow to the head during the melee.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/golspie_teamtalk.jpg"><br /><br />In the second half, a moment of brilliance from <b>Andy Durrand</b> made it 2-0 for the Jags, as the wing-back shot with finesse from the edge of the box to curl a shot over the top of the keeper into the net.<br /><br />Tain introduced five substitutes for the remainder of the second half. The next goal however came from Golspie, in the form of a strike from distance, placed into the top corner beyond Steven Martin to reduce the deficit.<br /><br />Despite the consolation, Golspie could not muster an equaliser, and in fact, Thistle were the less lucky of the two sides, as Jamie Macdonald saw a headed effort drift just wide beyond the stranded Golspie goalkeeper.<br /><br />The 2-1 win marks the Jags' fifth win in six pre-season games as they now face the competitive challenge of league newcomers Fortrose and Rosemarkie Union in the Ross-shire Welfare League Cup on Saturday.<br /><br /><b>Team from:</b><br />Martin, Davis, Durrand, Dingwall, Innes, A Christie, D Christie, Farquhar, Mailley, Macdonald, Rostock, Oliver, Sutherland, Ross, Smart, Morgan.

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