Highland League preview: Every game covered as Matthew Strachan aims to grasp Formartine United chance

Summer signing Matthew Strachan is relishing getting the chance to establish himself with Formartine United.

The left-sided defender joined the Pitmedden outfit – who face champions Brora Rangers at North Lodge Park on Saturday in the Breedon Highland League – after leaving Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The 21-year-old progressed from the Caley Jags’ youth set-up to the first team and also had two loan stints at Nairn County, two loans with Brora, as well as a spell with Forfar Athletic.

When it came to finding a new club this summer, Strachan, who has relocated from Inverness to Aberdeen, was keen to join a side where he would be afforded the opportunity to nail down a regular place.

He said: “After speaking to the manager (Stuart Anderson) it was quite an enticing prospect to come to Formartine and in the end it was a no-brainer for me.

“We want to try to be successful, which is something that attracted me, but the opportunity to play regularly was also a big thing for me.

“I didn’t have the easiest of seasons last season. I was in and out at a couple of teams, but coming to Formartine I’ve got the chance to play regularly at a good level.

“I’ve reached a point in my career where I need to establish myself somewhere and hopefully I can do that with Formartine.”

United finished third last season, four points behind champions Brora, and both teams will hope to challenge for the title this term.

Strachan added: “It would be a good game to win, but it’s still very early in the season. Right now we’re just taking it a game at a time and seeing how we get on.”

Sutherland ready for important encounter

Although the season is still in its infancy, Brora attacker Shane Sutherland is well aware clashes between potential championship contenders can have a significant bearing later in the campaign.

The 35-year-old, who scored twice against Deveronvale last weekend, said: “It will be a tough test.

“But these are the games you look forward to and you know if you can get a result it’s a good marker early in the season.

“This one game won’t have a big say in what happens come the end of the season, but it would be good to get a result.

“Right now it’s not going to have a major bearing on how the season pans out because there’s another 32 league games.

“However, come the end of the season when you look at the head-to-heads against the teams around you, you see the impact they have.

“It’s a big game, you never go to North Lodge Park and find it easy, but if we reach the levels we’re capable of we can compete with anyone.”

Adams wants to be Huntly difference-maker

Scott Adams believes he can help Huntly improve this season.

The attacker joined the Black and Golds from Formartine United a couple of weeks ago to link up with his old boss Graeme Stewart, who he played under at Buckie Thistle.

Huntly, who welcome Clachnacuddin to Christie Park on Saturday, finished 11th last term and manager Stewart has overhauled his squad this summer.

Adams, 29, said: “My relationship with the manager was a big part of me joining Huntly.

“I’ve worked with him on and off for 10 years over the course of a couple of loan spells, then signing permanently for Buckie and now coming here.

“We managed to win the league together and I know how he works so that was a big draw.

“Another factor for me is that historically Huntly are one of the biggest teams in the league and have a good fanbase.

“I think I’ve got a lot to offer. I believe I can score goals and help the team a lot so hopefully I can do that.

“We’ve got to improve on last season, that’s the first target and we need to try to push on as much as possible.”

MacRae’s target

Meanwhile, Clach striker Jordan MacRae has challenged himself to get back to his best this season.

The former Nairn County, Cove Rangers and Brora Rangers player has been one of the Highland League’s most feared marksmen during the last decade, but has been frustrated with how the last couple of campaigns have panned out.

In 2024-25 MacRae missed a large chunk of the season due to a shoulder problem, while in 2025-26 he didn’t feature as regularly as he had hoped for Brora before moving to Clach in February.

He added: “I think I can get back to the level I’ve been at in the past. Last season I didn’t play as much as I wanted, but still scored 15 goals.

“I still believe if I stay fit I can score 30 goals.

“I’m only 27 so I’ve still got a few good years ahead of me and I’ve still got plenty to offer.

“I’m enjoying it at Clach and I’ve been really impressed with the players here since I came to the club.”

News from around the Highland League

Elsewhere, Deveronvale meet Turriff United in a local derby at Princess Royal Park.

Jack Mitchell, Jayden Goldie, Thomas Reid, Grant Moroney, Euan Storrier, Austin Sparkes, Joel Wiseman and Rocco Chalmers are missing for the Banffers. Ewen Robertson, Scott Robertson, Reece McKeown, Dylan Stuart, Alfie Knox, Jay Henderson and Connor May are out for Turra.

Invergordon play their first home game in the Highland League, with Lossiemouth the visitors to Ali MacGregor Park. Ryan McFee and Copeland Thain return for the Ross-shire side, but Torran Lambie and Ruaridh Patience are unavailable. The Coasters are minus Brodie Mitchell, Liam Harvey and Matthew Nicol.

Buckie Thistle are set to be without Bodhan Campbell for Banks o’ Dee’s visit to Victoria Park. Dee do without the services of Kane Winton, Mark Gilmour, Magnus Watson, Lachie MacLeod and Jevan Anderson.

Tom Brady, Andrew Skinner and Hamish Scott are missing for Rothes’ clash with Fraserburgh at Mackessack Park. Kieran Simpson and Ross Aitken are the Broch’s absentees.

Ryan Campbell and Brandon Sinclair are Wick Academy’s absentees for the Harmsworth Park encounter with Strathspey Thistle. The Grantown outfit are missing Dylan Maclean and Dean Stewart.

Inverurie Locos welcome Forres Mechanics to Harlaw Park. Robert Ward, Jay Halliday and Greg Mitchell are sidelined for the Railwaymen, with Jack Grant and Brodie Finlayson out for the Can-Cans, who have signed 17-year-old striker Greg Ferguson on loan from Ross County.

Keith are without Ryan Spink and Michael Ironside for Nairn County’s visit to Kynoch Park.

[Source: Press and Journal]