Forres Mechanics star Jordan Alonge missed out on a chance in America’s MLS (Major Soccer League) but wants to play higher levels in Scotland

A Forres Mechanics match winner on his birthday, Jordan Alonge wants his career to go higher than Highland League football one day.

The 26-year-old Londoner dreamed of making the grade in America’s MLS (Major League Soccer) and tried his luck in Canada and Turkey.

A switch to Inverness, where he has family, prompted a shot at Highland League football first with Rothes, then Forres where his midfield performances have been catching the eye.

No more so than on Saturday, when he scored twice in Mechanics’ superb 3-2 win away to title chasers Banks o’ Dee.

Alonge now has eight goals in Cans’ colours and may well be attracting the attention of higher league clubs.

“Before I came to Scotland I was training with Hampton and Richmond FC, who play in the National League (South) and that was good quality and a good level.

“I just decided I needed to keep getting games in and that's why coming up here was the main focus. I do believe that I can compete at the highest level.

“Whether it's up here, in Europe or anywhere. For now, my focus is in Scotland. I'm just trying to make it up the leagues if I can.”

Alonge says Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald is assisting his mission to gain a bigger move.

“I think Steve is a very genuine guy. He said at the beginning, I really want to move you on to a higher level. Hopefully, if I can skip a league or two, it will be good.

“For now, I’ll just enjoy the time I have at Forres. It’s a nice club with some good players.”

Alonge first signed for Rothes when he arrived north and spoke to then Speysiders manager Richard Hastings, who along with MacDonald had made contact.

He held Rothes to a 3-0 win over Forres at Mosset Park at the start of the season, but didn’t settle at MacKessack Park and was keen to move elsewhere.

MacDonald struck a deal with his former club to take Alonge to the Cans, and the rest is history.

He starred in Forres’ superb victories over Buckie Thistle and Brechin City, and on his 26th birthday on Saturday he led the Moray men to another unexpected success.

After a goalless first half at Spain Park, Alonge finished off a dazzling run forward with a pinpoint finish to edge Forres in front.

Dee hit back with two quick goals midway through the half, seemingly keeping them on course for victory.

But a foul on Matty Jamieson earned Mechanics an 80th minute penalty which Alonge coolly converted, and three minutes later Jamieson produced a wonder strike from distance to win it for the visitors.

“We went down 2-1 and I was just thinking we shouldn't be losing that because I think we actually dominated the game but it was a relief to get the win in the end.

“I'm glad that I'm able to get forward for the team. Most of the time I do, that's when I get the most joy out of the game.

“I was pleased to get the second goal, one that people can enjoy. Honestly, that's the reason why I play football - playing for the fans. It's nice when you get a good-looking goal like that.

“With the penalty, I'm comfortable around the spot. It's a lot about practice, just knowing where you're going to go and then going there. I knew I was going to wait for the keeper to jump a bit.

“It was all about getting the win for the team. and Matty showed that bit of quality with his goal.”

Alonge spoke about his footballing journey so far, which has taken him over the Atlantic and even for a stint in Europe.

He played in football academies in the London area throughout his teenage years, before chasing the American dream.

“I decided to pursue the US route whereby a lot of people go there to try and make it to the MLS or even the second division there.

“So that's what I did and I went to go and get my degree.”

He spent two years at Baker University in Kansas City and three more at Fairleigh Dickenson University in New Jersey, before heading over the border to Canada.

There he played in Ontario for Thunder Bay Chill in the USL League 2, the fourth tier in American soccer.

“At the end of that degree they have the MLS trials and you perform at a certain level and hopefully you get called up to a few trials. That's what happened. I didn't cross the line, I didn't make it over the signing contract.

“After I went to Canada for a summer, I ended up in Turkey for a trial. It was a similar situation where they had international visa spots.

“It was quite limited. It was football, it was the industry. After that I just found myself back in London.

“Now I live in Inverness. My mum's Scottish so I have some family up here. My dad's Nigerian so I have a Staffordshire heritage as well.”

He is fascinated by Highland League football and its strong community links, finding it very different to the football he has experienced so far.

“It's an interesting league. I've never really played anything like it in my life really.

But it's a fresh change for me. I adapted quite quickly. I think I realised that it can be a lot less technical and more physical.

It's a game of moments, taking those moments when they come. It's just adapting really. I think I can get something out of it.

“I just enjoy the community part of it. I think it's a special thing.

“You don't see it much down south. You have the local communities, but the Highland League is a lot more.…it’s almost like a family.

“It’s really family-based. You speak to the players and their dads used to play for the club.”