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  • David Matheson (1967-2014)

    <img border="0" align="none" alt="" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/davie-emco.jpg"><br /><br />We were deeply saddened this week to learn that David Matheson, affectionately known as "Davie Embo", had passed away at the age of 47. Davie was a well known player and character in recreational football circles throughout both Ross-shire and Sutherland, having worn the goalkeeper's jersey for a number of different clubs, and for Tain Thistle as recently as 2010.<br /><br />He will be fondly remembered. On behalf of the Tain Thistle players and committee, we wish to send our heart felt condolences to his family.

  • Latest News | Tain Thistle AFC
  • Jags wrap up season with defeat to Alness

    A double defeat to Alness Athletic ended the Jags' season this past week, as they fell 5-1 in their final league match, ending any hopes of a 2nd place finish, before losing 6-0 in the Cordiner Cup Final at the Links. The finale was not representative of Thistle's recent form, however, as they had been on a four match win streak prior to their visit to Alness's Academy Park. Shaking off the disappointment of a 1-0 semi final defeat Fortrose Union, Tain went on to beat Ross-shire Club 3-0, Contin 2-1 and Social Club 4-0, having exacted revenge against Fortrose along the way too, with a 2-0 win. The constant in each win was the free-scoring Liam Rostock who netted seven goals in as many games in July, reaching a century overall for the Club.<br /><br />Jags' fans will argue that the side was greatly weakened by absences on the day of the final, as well as the departures of John Allan, Alan Duff and Michael Brand towards the end of the campaign. It is interesting to note that just six of the fourteen man squad who defeated Alness in last year's thrilling play-off were in the same size squad for the Cordiner Cup Final on Saturday past - however there is no doubt that Alness Athletic were deserved winners of both the league and cups they won this season. The league table after all, tells the story. Fortrose Union were the only other team to enjoy success under the Ross-shire Welfare banner, securing the Coronation Cup and finishing 2nd place in the league. On the whole, Tain's most competitive games this season have been against the Black Isle side.<br /><br />The Club concluded the season a week early off the field with their annual awards get-together with a meal at Tain Curry Club before the players and committee convened at sponsors The Railway Hotel for the presentations. Martin Smith, the youngest outfield player in the side, collected the Most Improved Player award, closely followed by the returning Brian Cameron, while Paul Cowie, in a landslide vote, was named Player of the Season. Chippie Mailley, for his looping shot over the Social Club keeper in Invergordon, won the Goal of the Season award. Though it was not awarded on the night, Liam Rostock is, this year, once again the winner of the Top Goalscorer Shield, with 14 goals.<br /><br />The Tain Thistle players and committee are not about to rest on their laurels though, as there are already plans afoot for a Christmas dinner dance at the Saint Duthus Hotel during the festive season and manager Darren Mackay has expressed an interest in playing some friendly matches during the winter in a bid to keep players fit and playing together.<br /><br />The committee wishes to thank Kirsty McFarlane, Alan Nimmons and The Railway Hotel for their continued sponsorship and hospitality throughout the season, not to mention their tireless efforts washing the kit after every game. We must extend our thanks to Isleburn Ltd for their kind sponsorship, as well as those who continue to subscribe to our Supporters Club. Thank you also to Tain Golf Club for their hospitality at the beginning of the season for our annual Texas Golf Scramble - we look forward to our third tournament in 2015.

  • Latest News | Tain Thistle AFC
  • Mixed fortunes for the Jags in July

    The past week has been one of mixed fortunes for the Jags. Having avoided a near upset against Social Club in midweek to run out 6-2 winners, Thistle's hopes of reaching the Seaboard Cup final were dashed by a serious lack of fortune against Fortrose Union.<br /><br />On Wednesday last week, Tain visited Invergordon on league business and by the forty minute mark they found themselves with a very comfortable 3-0 lead thanks to a goal from Martin Smith and a brace from Liam Rostock. An Allan Campbell penalty for the home side reduced the score to 1-3 at half time.<br /><br />Tain struggled to find the same stride that had given them such a healthy lead at the start of the second half, and mid-way through Social scored again, this time through the pacey James McGroarty. Any chance of a scare was eliminated four minutes later though when Alan Duff slotted home. A spectacular left footed curler from Chippie Mailley made it 5-2 moments later and popping up in the last minute of the game was Duff again, nodding home with ease.<br /><br /><b>Team:</b> Allan, Davis (Durrand), Cameron, Duff, Brand, Farquhar, Cowie, Mailley, D Christie, Smith, Rostock (Gourlay)<br /><br /><img border="0" align="none" alt="" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/fortrose2014.jpg"><br /><br />On Saturday, against the backdrop of the bustling Tain Gala celebrations, Thistle welcomed Fortrose Union to the Links, recreating the tension of their Coronation Cup meeting three weeks prior. It was to be just as tight on this occasion as both sides produced a competitive game - as they have done every time they have met this season - but neither could find the net in the first half. Liam Rostock hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions and Johnny Allan at the other end for Tain made a couple of good saves.<br /><br />Despite enjoying the majority of the possession, Tain were hit with a sucker punch in the second half. The opener came for Fortrose midway through when Jordan Knight stabbed home from a counter attack. To make matters worse, Rostock again hit the bar having gone round Martin Smith in the Fortrose goal. It was certainly not looking like it would be Tain's day, and what happened in the 75th minute confirmed it, as Thistle's Martin Smith poked the ball through the legs of his namesake who was dwelling on the ball in the Fortrose goal. Bizarrely, and to the astonishment of both teams, the goal was disallowed! There were chances to equalise in the minutes that followed, but luck was clearly not on Thistle's side. As time ran away, Fortrose valiantly held on to their 1-0 lead to ultimately win the game and advance to the final.<br /><br /><b>Team:</b> Allan, Davis, Cameron, Brand, A Christie, Duff, Farquhar, Durrand (Gourlay), D Christie, Rostock, Smith<br /><br />Tain play at home again on Wednesday night, welcoming Ross-shire Club to the Links for the first time this season in Ross-shire Welfare league action.

  • Latest News | Tain Thistle AFC
  • Seaboard Cup tie awarded to Tain

    Tain Thistle have advanced to the Seaboard Cup semi final.<br /><br />Their 1st Round tie against Ross-shire Club, originally scheduled for Saturday, June 28th had been moved to the evening of Monday, June 30th, however Ross-shire Club have forfeited the tie due to not being able to raise a team.

  • Latest News | Tain Thistle AFC
  • Jags secure Graham Jardine Quaich

    Tain Thistle have won the Graham Jardine Memorial Quaich for the first time, defeating Balintore by 3 goals to 1, in a double header that also saw them secure three points in the Ross-shire Welfare league.<br /><br /><img border="0" align="none" alt="" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/IMG_7877b.jpg"><br /><br />Manager Darren Mackay, whose last involvement in the Jardine Quaich match was as a player for Saint Duthus in 2002, had to deal with a number of absences following the Coronation Cup final. Still carrying an ankle knock, Darran Goller missed out, while Liam Rostock was also unavailable due to limits on North Caledonian players. Martin Smith and Niall McVicar were also missing.<br /><br />It looked like it was set to be a bad day at the office for the Jags when Terrence Brady, already a scourge of the Jags throughout this season, netted a first minute goal for Balintore, capitalising on an early defensive lapse. It took Thistle just ten minutes to level matters though as Daniel Christie took his time at the far post to control and slot the ball past Ross Powell to make it 1-1.<br /><br />Thistle enjoyed the better of the first half from then on, and on the half hour mark, Martyn Farquhar handed Thistle a justified lead, showing class to calmly chip the ball over Powell in the Balintore goal from 25 yards. There were calls of "offside" from the Seaboard touchline, however the goal stood, capping off a neat fight back and a positive forty-five minutes for Tain.<br /><br />Watching on from the sidelines, Jean and Jim, parents of former St Duthus and Balintore player Graham Jardine, issued a reminder of last year's second half comeback from Balintore - however, today it was not to be, as Tain set about ensuring a solid defensive display.<br /><br />Balintore showed signs that they were capable of finding an equaliser in the first ten minutes of the second period, however resolute play at the back from Alan Duff and Michael Brand kept the Balty forward line at bay. A series of corners and set pieces at the other end heralded no further goals for Tain until the 65th minute, when Paul Cowie - a stand out candidate for man of the match in Tain's midfield - headed the ball home to make it 3-1.<br /><br />Chris Mailley was unlucky not to extend the Jags lead as the minutes counted down and at full time, the score remained the same, handing Tain the victory. Post-match, Jim Jardine, accompanied by his grandson Robbie, presented the trophy to Thistle captain Daniel Christie. Both teams gathered for a photograph and applauded the winning team, concluding a derby match that had been contested in great spirits.<br /><br /><b>Team:</b><br />Allan, Davis, Cameron (Gourlay), Brand, Duff, A Christie, Farquhar, Mailley, Durrand, D Christie, Cowie<br /><br /><b>Goals:</b><br />D Christie, Farquhar, Cowie

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