Strathspey Thistle boss brushes off Lochee United collapse and talk of Highland League safety
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Strathspey Thistle will be able to breathe a little easier after hearing the result of last night's crunch tie in the East Region Midlands League.
A 3-0 win for Broughty Ferry Athletic over Lochee United – the last notable "licensed" contenders for promotion to the Highland Footbal League – has all but ensured that the Jags will remain in the division next season.
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Lochee United, who were unbeaten after 25 games until last night, needed to win the match to swing the balance of the league title race in their favour – but defeat to league leaders Broughty Ferry has left the Thomson Park side with a mountain to climb.
Although Broughty Ferry have played three games more than their closest rivals, they have now opened up a 14 point gap ahead of second placed United.
The teams are still to play each other once more this season, but it will take a big turnaround if the Dundee-based side are to win the division and secure a promotion play-off place against the Highland League's likely basement dwellers, Strathspey Thistle.
The only other SFA-licensed Tier 6 contenders are Tayport, who sit in 9th place in the Midlands League, and North Caledonian League contenders Fort William and Golspie Sutherland, who sit 15 and 13 points behind leaders Invergordon.
Brushing the result aside, Jags manager Robert MacCormack says he will maintain his focus on increasing Thistle's points tally this season.
"Can we rest a bit easier? Yes and no," he said. "Nothing is confirmed and anything can happen in football. It doesn't change anything from my side. We will still go out and try and get as many points as we can.
"Of course there’s not so much pressure knowing that there might not be a risk of relegation, but until it is confirmed we need to stay focused. There’s over 30 points to play for, so we aren’t giving up on anything yet. We know how difficult it will be though."
On his own future, the manager is not about to do a u-turn on his decision to step down at the end of the season.
He added: "I’ve made my decision and I'm happy with it. What it does mean though, is that the club can now go find a manager with a more positive outlook of being in the Highland League next season."
