3pm 14 December 2019
Highland League
Huntly 2 Deveronvale 3 (att 240)
I live in Manchester, which is a long way from Highland League territory. That's my excuse for taking more than 25 years to complete the league, but I finally managed it at Huntly's Christie Park ground.
Huntly were away side for my first Highland League game, at Inverness Thistle in the spring of 1994. They were a strong side back then, and were champions that season, but recently their fortunes have been more modest.
A mid-table battle against Deveronvale wasn't even my first choice for a game during a weekend in Inverness. I had targeted Bonar Bridge, in the North Caledonian League, but their home match was moved due to Dornoch due to an unfit pitch.
It turned out to be a lively battle, albeit after a slow start. Deveronvale took a first half lead but moments later Huntly had levelled. The visitors looked the better side, but it was Huntly who went ahead in the second period.
At 2-1 up inside the final few minutes Huntly should have won it, but they failed in what these days is called 'game management'. They allowed Deveronvale an 88th minute equaliser, and then two minutes into stoppage time the visitors scored again to win.
Most Highland League grounds are good, and worth the long journeys from England. Christie Park has a decent-sized seated stand, and a covered terrace opposite. The rest of the ground is open, with a mix of flat and shallow terraced standing.
Highland League
Huntly 2 Deveronvale 3 (att 240)
I live in Manchester, which is a long way from Highland League territory. That's my excuse for taking more than 25 years to complete the league, but I finally managed it at Huntly's Christie Park ground.
Huntly were away side for my first Highland League game, at Inverness Thistle in the spring of 1994. They were a strong side back then, and were champions that season, but recently their fortunes have been more modest.
A mid-table battle against Deveronvale wasn't even my first choice for a game during a weekend in Inverness. I had targeted Bonar Bridge, in the North Caledonian League, but their home match was moved due to Dornoch due to an unfit pitch.
It turned out to be a lively battle, albeit after a slow start. Deveronvale took a first half lead but moments later Huntly had levelled. The visitors looked the better side, but it was Huntly who went ahead in the second period.
At 2-1 up inside the final few minutes Huntly should have won it, but they failed in what these days is called 'game management'. They allowed Deveronvale an 88th minute equaliser, and then two minutes into stoppage time the visitors scored again to win.
Most Highland League grounds are good, and worth the long journeys from England. Christie Park has a decent-sized seated stand, and a covered terrace opposite. The rest of the ground is open, with a mix of flat and shallow terraced standing.
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