New protocols 'should have no major impact' on Highland League matches
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Highland League secretary Rod Houston says past experience will serve clubs well now that increased levels of Covid protocols have come into play.
Football attendances across Scotland have been limited to 500 with one-metre social distancing as part of Scottish Government guidance in the effort to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.
Players are undergoing daily lateral flow testing as part of the new measures being implemented after a Highland League management committee meeting last Thursday.
Houston said attendance caps and social distancing at games should not have a major impact on matches in the north, and clubs had already gained good experience in dealing with restrictions within their grounds on match days.
“We had a fairly lengthy briefing from the Scottish FA on Wednesday which was basically JRG [Joint Response Group] information on the pandemic and the dos and don’ts,” he said.
“We took that information to the league management committee meeting, where they agreed that we would lateral flow test daily. Everybody would do that and that has become the norm in Scottish football just now.
“Clubs are looking at their match-day arrangements and how they prepare in collaboration with their opponents, so everybody is refreshing things.
“The last 21 months have seen the clubs build up a very significant amount of expertise and confidence in being able to deal with these matters – accommodating spectators socially distant and limiting the numbers. A lot has gone on in that time.
“It has been interesting to watch how clubs have gone from ‘Could we do that?’ to ‘Yes ,we’ll do that’, so they will look at pinch points like entries, toilets, kiosks and changing facilities and reminding spectators about social distancing.
“All of the stuff that we’ve done before, we are just bringing it back again.”
Houston revealed that clubs also ruled on players who refuse to do Covid tests.
“We had quite a long discussion on whether or not a player should be allowed to play and mix with their team-mates if they refuse to test, given that everybody else is testing," he said.
“They were not keen on a player who refuses to test being involved in matches. Our message is to come to Highland League football, enjoy the game, but please respect the circumstances – That is what will enable football to continue.
“It is the culmination of testing and match-day arrangements. Training arrangements have gone back to where they were before, and quite a lot of clubs had sustained the mitigating training arrangements anyway and saw it as good practice.
“That is the difference between now and 21 months ago – they know what is good practice. They are comfortable with it and it is not strange.
“When you look at the whole playing side and the preparation side, players and coaches are used to it now, so they understand this is what you have to do to get a game of football.”
Wick Academy's assistant manager Michael Gray, speaking after the Scorries' 2-0 win against Lossiemouth on Monday, said: “We just have to comply with all the guidance. If we want to keep football going then we've got no option.”
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Inverurie striker Neil Gauld netted a hat-trick to complete his team’s comeback against Keith in an eight-goal festive thriller at Harlaw Park.
A first-half double by James Brownie gave the Maroons a surprise 2-0 lead. Lloyd Robertson replied for Locos only for Michael Selfridge to score Keith's third goal from the spot.
Robert Ward reduced the deficit before super-sub Gauld weighed in with three goals in a 20-minute spell. The prolific striker has now netted hat-tricks for Locos in 11 seasons.
The result lifted Inverurie to second place in the table, a point ahead of Buckie Thistle, Brora Rangers and Brechin City.
Inverurie manager Richard Hastings said: “It was a rollercoaster of a game but ultimately to come away with the three points was always the main goal.
“I thought the boys showed a lot of spirit and character to come back.
“In the first half we gifted them the goals with poor defending. In the second half the momentum shifted.
“Having someone like Neil Gauld to come off the bench and score a hat-trick in about 20 minutes, you need that to get the team kick-started.
“It was really pleasing all round and we will take the confidence and belief into the next game.”
Brora Rangers were 4-2 down away to Formartine United but rescued a point in a 4-4 draw. Daniel Park, Jonathan Smith (penalty), Kevin Hanratty and Scott Lisle were on target for the home side, with Andy Macrae and Dale Gillespie both netting doubles for Brora.
Gillespie’s first came from the penalty spot and his second was a stoppage-time equaliser.
