Lossiemouth manager Steve Porter celebrates first Highland League win and hails team’s determined effort to end 11-game losing streak
Lossiemouth manager Steve Porter was thrilled to watch his team earn his first-ever Highland League win in Saturday’s crucial basement battle with Strathspey Thistle.
The Coasters not only eased their own relegation concerns but jumped out of the bottom three in the league with a 2-0 victory over Strathspey Thistle at Grant Park.
Lossie had lost 11 games in a row since defeating Fraserburgh in September, with Porter only taking charge for the last six after stepping up from a coaching role to take over the reins in November.
He admitted last weekend’s home game against bottom side Strathspey was a ‘presh’ (pressure) fixture which the Moray side couldn’t afford to lose in their quest to avoid a possible relegation trap door out of the Highland League.
“I was kind of nervous about the game, especially after we got beat by them in Grantown earlier in the season,” he said. “But the boys rose to the challenge really well.”
An early goal by new vice-captain Lewis McAndrew from a setpiece settled nerves for Lossie, and recent signing Shaun Cameron’s second goal for the club in the second half sealed a priceless three points.
The 2-0 win kept Thistle on the bottom and propelled the Coasters four points above, even overtaking Wick Academy on goal difference to vacate the bottom three.
“It was a presh game to be honest, a must-win game,” Porter added. “There was nothing pretty about the game to be perfectly honest, it was just a battle and we came out on top - so that was really, really pleasing.
“It's a tough game, and they've done really, really well. So hopefully we can build some momentum.”
Lossie take on Keith next week, then visit Nairn County who this week parted company with manager Ross Tokely following Saturday’s 5-1 home defeat to Forres Mechanics.
Porter is well aware that Keith will come gunning for the Coasters on Saturday after the previous meeting between the sides this season, which Lossie won 4-0 at Kynoch Park when Porter was still a first team coach under former boss Eddie Wolecki-Black.
“We were really good that day and it was a fantastic result for us, so I’m sure they will want to set that straight. It will be a very tough game again.”
