Loan Watch – 2nd September

PAUL Macleod and Andrew Hardwick both made their debuts for their loan clubs at the weekend having switched to Strathspey Thistle and Fort William respectively. Macleod moves to the Grantown club in his second loan move away from Station Park having spent half of the 2013/14 campaign at Nairn St Ninian while Hardwick has returned to his former side in Lochaber after joining County in the summer. Both deals are initially for one month. Macleod started on the bench as Strathspey lost 3-0 to Inverurie Locos at Harlaw Park. He appeared as a substitute playing most of the second half in a centre midfield role. Goals from Andy Hunter and David Ross had the hosts 2-0 up at half time before Hunter’s second 20 minutes from time staved off any threat of a Macleod-inspired Thistle comeback. Fort William were also on their travels as they made the trip to Lossiemouth and threw Hardwick straight into their starting eleven at centre half. He was unable to prevent the Coasters from establishing a two-goal half time lead thanks to strikes from Kevin Flett and Ross Archibald and although John Macleod gave the visitors hope by halving the deficit just 10 minutes into the second half, the Coasters held on to leave Fort empty handed. Both players will be hoping to help their loan clubs earn the first win of their temporary stay away from Station Park this Saturday as Strathspey host Wick Academy at Seafield Park while Fort William are on the road again this time visiting bottom club Rothes. Graeme Macleod