Highland League football returns with Lossiemouth hosting Strathspey Thistle in crucial relegation battle at Grant Park

The first Highland League football of 2025 will include a crucial basement battle in Moray.

Lossiemouth manager Steve Porter is firing up his players for Saturday’s home clash against bottom side Strathspey Thistle.

The fight to avoid last place in the league this season is all the more crucial with the possibility of a relegation play-off looming large.

East Region juniors Lochee United and Tayport are eligible to play in the Highland League if they managed to win their division, and would enter the play-off with the Highland league bottom club if they were successful.

Golspie Sutherland are also in contention for the North Caledonian League title and they too have facilities which would allow them to feature in a play-off if they were champions.

At the foot of the Highland League table, Moray pair Lossiemouth and Rothes are just one point above Strathspey in last position, placing extra emphasis on this weekend’s Grant Park meeting.

With the entire Highland League programme being postponed on each of the opening two weekends of 2025, it will be a first kick of the ball this year for both Lossie and Strathspey.

“I think the game will definitely go ahead,” said Lossiemouth manager Porter. “The pitch is looking pretty good so it will be fine.”

Strathspey beat Lossiemouth 3-0 in Grantown at the end of August in the club’s previous meeting, one of only two games won by Jags this season.

It’s enough to make Porter well aware of how difficult a match it will be for the Coasters on Saturday.

He said: “I’m looking forward to the game. The last time we played them, they beat us and that was frustrating.

“But they are a decent team, they are in the same position as us so it will be a good battle and hopefully we can come out on the winning side.

“They will be saying the same about us and seeing this as a game they can win. We just have to be the best that we can be on the day and hopefully that will take care of business.

“The boys trained this week and they were a wee bit rusty as they’ve not kicked a ball in a while but they are confident and ready for the challenge.”

Rothes have also been on a tough run this season, losing 15 and winning just one of their last 17 outings in all competitions.

Manager Ronnie Sharp has been in charge for just four games - the Speysiders have played just once since the end of November - and he is eager to get his first victory at the helm, with Huntly paying a visit to MacKessack Park this weekend.

Keith have played just twice since November 30 and are set to return to action with a home game against Formartine United.

Forres Mechanics make the short trip to Nairn County for a derby match, with just one point separating the teams in the table.

Deveronvale are at Clachnacuddin in Saturday’s early game, kicking off at 2pm.