2022–23 North Caledonian Football League

The 2022–23 North Caledonian Football League (known for sponsorship reasons as the Macleod & MacCallum North Caledonian League) was the 114th season of the North Caledonian Football League, and the second season as part of the sixth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system.

North Caledonian Football League
Season2022–23
Dates20 August 2022 – 22 April 2023
ChampionsLoch Ness[1]
Matches played156
Goals scored744 (4.77 per match)
Biggest home winLoch Ness 10–0 Bonar Bridge
(26 November 2022)
Thurso 10–0 Bonar Bridge
(11 February 2023)
Biggest away winBonar Bridge 1–12 Loch Ness
(4 March 2023)
Highest scoringBonar Bridge 1–12 Loch Ness
(4 March 2023)
Longest winning run9 matches:
Invergordon
Longest unbeaten run14 matches:
Loch Ness
Longest winless run16 matches:
Bonar Bridge
Longest losing run16 matches:
Bonar Bridge
2023-24
All statistics correct as of 22 April 2023.

Loch Ness won the league title for the first time; their 5–0 victory over Fort William coupled with Invergordon's 1–1 draw against Orkney on 8 April 2023, gave them an unassailable 10-point lead over Invergordon with 3 games remaining (the margin was 4 points at the end of the season). As such, they entered the 2023–24 Scottish Cup at the Preliminary Round stage, as they had not already qualified as a non-SFA member.[2]

Teams edit

Location of Orkney in the 2022–23 North Caledonian League

To North Caledonian Football League edit

Relegated from Highland Football League

Stadia and locations edit

Team Location Home ground Capacity Seats Floodlit
Alness United Alness Dalmore Park[3] TBC 0 Yes
Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge Migdale Playing Fields[4] 500 0 No
Clachnacuddin Reserves Inverness Grant Street Park 3,000 154 Yes
Fort William [SFA] Fort William Claggan Park 4,000 400 Yes
Golspie Sutherland [SFA] Golspie King George V Park[5] 1,000 0 Yes
Halkirk United Halkirk Morrison Park[6] 1,000 0 Yes
Invergordon Invergordon Recreation Grounds[7] 500 0 No
Inverness Athletic North Kessock Ferry Brae Park[8] 500 0 No
Loch Ness Fortrose King George V Park[9] 500 0 No
Nairn County 'A' Nairn Riverside Park[10] 500 0 No
Orkney Holm The Rockworks[11] 1,000 0 No
St Duthus Tain Grant Park[12] 500 0 No
Thurso Thurso Sir George's Park[13] 1,000 0 No

League table edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or qualification
1 Loch Ness (C) 24 20 2 2 101 28 +73 62 Ineligible for the Highland League play-off
2 Invergordon 24 19 1 4 75 24 +51 58
3 Fort William 24 15 0 9 79 46 +33 45
4 St Duthus 24 14 2 8 63 49 +14 44
5 Orkney 24 12 6 6 57 35 +22 42
6 Golspie Sutherland 24 13 3 8 56 48 +8 42
7 Inverness Athletic 24 13 1 10 50 45 +5 40
8 Halkirk United 24 10 2 12 53 56 −3 32
9 Alness United 24 10 1 13 69 63 +6 31
10 Clachnacuddin Reserves 24 9 0 15 50 64 −14 27 Ineligible for promotion
11 Nairn County A 24 5 1 18 33 73 −40 16
12 Thurso 24 4 3 17 38 70 −32 15
13 Bonar Bridge 24 1 0 23 20 143 −123 3
Source: North Caledonian Football League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions

Results edit

Home \ Away ALN BON CLA FOW GOL HAL INV INA LOC NAI ORK STD THU
Alness United 10–1 2–1 2–4 6–2 0–1 2–1 1–3 0–2 4–3 2–5 7–0 9–2
Bonar Bridge 3–4[a] 1–6[b] 0–4 0–7[c] 1–8 1–5 1–3 1–12 4–2 0–4 0–5 1–5
Clachnacuddin Reserves 0–4[d] 6–0[e] 2–8[f] 2–0[g] 1–3[h] 1–2[i] 0–1[j] 1–7 1–0[k] 0–7[l] 0–3[m] 7–0
Fort William 4–2 8–0 4–3 0–2 3–1 1–2 1–2 1–2 4–0 5–1[n] 4–0 6–0
Golspie Sutherland 3–3 5–2 4–1 3–2 2–1 0–1 0–1 3–4 2–1 1–6 4–2 2–1
Halkirk United 3–2 5–1 2–5 1–6 2–2 1–2 2–0 1–4 1–0 3–1 2–3 3–0
Invergordon 3–1[o] 9–0 4–0 6–1 6–2[p] 3–1 2–1 1–3 4–0 1–1 3–1 5–0
Inverness Athletic 2–0[q] 8–0[r] 2–1 3–5[s] 2–3 2–3 0–5 2–1[t] 3–1[u] 1–2 2–3[v] 2–1
Loch Ness 8–0 10–0 3–1 5–0 1–3 7–4 3–1 3–2[w] 7–1 0–0 2–1 2–0
Nairn County 'A' 3–2 1–0[x] 0–3 1–6[y] 0–2 4–3[z] 1–2 3–3 3–5 0–5 4–2[aa] 2–4[ab]
Orkney [ac] 3–1 3–2 4–0[ad] 2–2 3–0 1–2 2–3 1–5[ae] 1–0 2–2 0–2
St Duthus 9–1 3–2 1–2 3–0 1–0 4–2 1–0 4–0 1–5 4–1 2–2 3–1
Thurso 0–5 10–0[af] 3–4[ag] 1–2 1–2 0–0[ah] 1–5[ai] 1–2 0–0[aj] 1–2 1–1[ak] 3–5[al]
Source: [50]
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
  1. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[14]
  2. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[15]
  3. ^ Match played at King George V Park, Golspie.[16]
  4. ^ Match played at Bught Park,[17] due to a clashing Highland League fixture for Clachnacuddin at Grant Street Park.
  5. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G.[18]
  6. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G.[19]
  7. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G.[20]
  8. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G.[21]
  9. ^ Match played at Highland Football Academy 3G, Dingwall.[22]
  10. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G.[23]
  11. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G.[24]
  12. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[25]
  13. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G.[26]
  14. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[27]
  15. ^ Match played at Highland Football Academy 3G, Dingwall.[28]
  16. ^ Match played at Highland Football Academy 3G, Dingwall.[29]
  17. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G.[30]
  18. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G.[31]
  19. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G.[32]
  20. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G.[33]
  21. ^ Match played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G.[34]
  22. ^ Match played at Dalmore Park, Alness.[35]
  23. ^ Match played at Canal Park, Inverness.[36]
  24. ^ Match played at Nairn Academy 3G.[37]
  25. ^ Match played at Nairn Academy 3G.[38]
  26. ^ Match played at Nairn Academy 3G.[36]
  27. ^ Match played at Station Park.[39]
  28. ^ Match played at Nairn Academy 3G.[40]
  29. ^ Match awarded to Orkney, as Alness United were unable to field a team.[41]
  30. ^ Match played at Morrison Park, Halkirk.[42]
  31. ^ Match played at Kirkwall Grammar School 3G.[43]
  32. ^ Match played at Naver 3G.[44]
  33. ^ Match played at Naver 3G.[36]
  34. ^ Match played at Morrison Park, Halkirk.[45]
  35. ^ Match played at Naver 3G.[46]
  36. ^ Match played at Morrison Park, Halkirk,[47] as Sir George's Park was unplayable.
  37. ^ Match played at Naver 3G.[48]
  38. ^ Match played at Naver 3G.[49]

Notes edit

SFA Club with an SFA licence (as of June 2022)[51] eligible to participate in the Highland League play-off should they win the league.

References edit

  1. ^ Loch Ness Football Club [@LochNessFC] (8 April 2023). "WE ARE North Caledonian FA LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 2022/2023! #FORZALOCHNESS" (Tweet). Retrieved 8 April 2023 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "SCOTTISH CUP ENTRY | Latest News | North Caledonian FA". www.northcaleyfa.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Alness United FC - North Caledonian Football Association". North Caledonian FA Official Website. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Bonar Bridge FC - North Caledonian Football Association". North Caledonian FA Official Website. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Golspie Sutherland". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Halkirk United". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Invergordon". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  8. ^ "Inverness Athletic F.C." Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Loch Ness". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Nairn County 'A'". Non League Scotland. Archived from the original on 24 April 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  11. ^ "Orkney". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  12. ^ "St Duthus F.C." Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Thurso". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  14. ^ Chalk, Paul (10 March 2023). "Bonar Bridge target shoots of recovery in closing months of North Caledonian League season". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen Journals. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  15. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (7 April 2023). "KICK-OFF IN THE NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE Bonar Bridge v Clachnacuddin 'A' (Alness 6.30 p.m) #NCFA #Northcaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 April 2023 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ Golspie Sutherland [@GolspieSuthFC] (24 March 2023). "Our game tomorrow has been reversed and we will play bonar bridge at home apposed [sic] to away. KO 1:00pm💙" (Tweet). Retrieved 25 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ Alness United FC [@AlnessUnitedFC] (15 October 2022). "We are in @NorthCaleyFA action this afternoon as we travel to Inverness to take on Clachnacuddin FC "A" at Bught Park. ⚫⚪⚽️" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 October 2022 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ Inverness Clachnacuddin FC [@ClachFC] (30 November 2022). "With the 1st team having no game on Saturday, we would encourage everyone to get along to Inverness Royal Academy and support @ClachReserves in the @NorthCaleyFA as they take on @bonarbridgefc. KO is at 1.30pm. Good luck lads" (Tweet). Retrieved 3 December 2022 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ Clach Reserves [@ClachReserves] (2 March 2023). "This Saturday we play @FortWilliamFC in the @MacandMac28 @NorthCaleyFA. Both clubs will honour and remember thier [sic] friend & team mate Simon Shields, a proud Merkincher who played for both Clach and The Fort before he was sadly lost in 2011 to terminal disease #ncfa #northcaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (15 April 2023). "KICK-OFF IN THE NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE Clach 'A' v Golspie (IRA 1.30) #NCFA #Northcaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 April 2023 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Halkirk United FC [@HalkirkUnitedFC] (28 January 2023). "MATCH DAY⚽️ This afternoon the lads take on Clach 'A' at Inverness royal academy. Kick off is 1pm any updates will follow 🔴⚫️" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 January 2023 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ Clach Reserves [@ClachReserves] (20 March 2023). "Midweek action for us on Wednesday as we host Invergordon under the lights through in Dingwall. @MacandMac28 @NorthCaleyFA #ncfa #northcaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  23. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (11 March 2023). "KICK-OFFS IN THE NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE Clachnacuddin 'A' v Inverness Athletic (IRA 1.43) #NCFA #Northcaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (9 November 2022). "This will be played at Inverness Royal Academy 4G" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 November 2022 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Orkney FC [@OrkneyFC] (4 February 2023). "Morning and I'm glad to say happy football day we're on the road again. So if your [sic] needing a footie fix we're playing Clach in Alness 1pm KO @NorthCaleyFA @bbcorkney" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Inverness Clachnacuddin FC [@ClachFC] (18 March 2023). "If you can't make it to Lossiemouth today, remember @ClachReserves are in action at the Inverness Royal Academy this afternoon. ⬇️" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ Fort William FC [@FortWilliamFC] (15 September 2022). "We return to action this weekend where we face Orkney. This game will take place in Alness, due to the distance between the two clubs. Kickoff 12:45 pm" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 September 2022 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ Invergordon FC [@InvergordonFC] (27 March 2023). "Our midweek game will be played in Dingwall at the Highland football academy 20:00 kick off @NorthCaleyFA" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ Invergordon FC [@InvergordonFC] (12 April 2023). "Tonight we play Golspie Sutherland. The game takes place at the highland football Academy in Dingwall tonight 20:00 kick off" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 April 2023 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Alness United FC [@AlnessUnitedFC] (1 April 2023). "We are in @NorthCaleyFA league action today as we travel to Inverness to take on Inverness Athletic. Come along and support the team ⚫️⚪️" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 April 2023 – via Twitter.
  31. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (28 January 2023). "KICK-OFF IN THE NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE Inverness Ath v Bonar Bridge (At IRA 2.30 p.m) #NCFA #Northcaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 January 2023 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ Fort William FC [@FortWilliamFC] (9 February 2023). "This weekend we make the journey to Inverness where we face Inverness Athletic who are currently in 3rd place. This game will see us come up against former striker John McLeod. Great to see him playing football again after his battles with injuries! #MonTheFort 💛🖤" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  33. ^ Clark, Will (6 January 2023). "Football clubs are set to clash in Inverness derby on Saturday". The Inverness Courier. Scottish Provincial Press. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  34. ^ Inverness Athletic Football Club [@InvernessAthFC] (26 November 2022). "0' | 🌑 IAFC 0-0 NCFC 🟡 | #InvAth #NairnCounty KICK OFF We are underway here at the Inverness Royal Academy" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 November 2022 – via Twitter.
  35. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (18 March 2023). "Note - @InvernessAthFC v @StDuthusFC is now at Alness with a 3 p.m kick off #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  36. ^ a b c Skinner, Andy (18 November 2022). "North Caledonian League: Emotional day expected as Loch Ness host Inverness Athletic in inaugural DJ Macphee Memorial Cup". The Press and Journal. Aberdeen Journals. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  37. ^ Nairn County FC [@NairnCounty] (22 August 2022). "UP NEXT ➡️ Nairn County Reserves v Bonar Bridge ⏰ Saturday - 1pm 🏟️ Nairn Academy, Nairn 🏆 @NorthCaleyFA. ➡️ Alness United U18s v Nairn County U18s ⏰ Sunday - 2pm. ➡️ Alness United U16s v Nairn County U16s ⏰ Sunday - 2pm" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 August 2022 – via Twitter.
  38. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (21 January 2023). "KICK-OFF IN THE NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE Nairn County 'A' v Fort William at Nairn Academy - 1 p.m kick-off #NCFA #Northcaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 January 2023 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ St Duthus Football Club [@StDuthusFC] (11 April 2023). "TONIGHT #NorthCaley Nairn County Res v St Duthus Kick off 8pm at Station Park, Nairn" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 April 2023 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ Thurso Football Club [@ThursoFC] (20 August 2022). "IT'S MATCH DAY IN THE @NorthCaleyFA LEAGUE - SATURDAY 20TH AUGUST Nairn County "A" v Thurso 2 p.m kick off at Nairn Academy Astro pitches #TFC #Vikings #NCFA" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 August 2022 – via Twitter.
  41. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (29 October 2022). "updated table - NOTE - Orkney were awarded 3 points after Alness didn't travel to Orkney on 24.9.22" (Tweet). Retrieved 29 October 2022 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ Fort William FC [@FortWilliamFC] (24 March 2023). "TOMORROW👇#MonTheFort 💛🖤" (Tweet). Retrieved 25 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  43. ^ Orkney FC [@OrkneyFC] (8 February 2023). "Come along and support the boys. Should be an interesting game against the table toppers. Match programs available £1. KO 12-45" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ Thurso Football Club [@ThursoFC] (11 February 2023). "Vikings line up today v Bonar Bridge, kicking off soon at Naver. 1 p.m kick off #TFC #Vikings" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ Thurso Football Club [@ThursoFC] (6 April 2023). "Our re-arranged North Caledonian league match with Halkirk United is tomorrow night at Morrison Park with a 7 p.m kick-off #TFC #Vikings" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 April 2023 – via Twitter.
  46. ^ Thurso Football Club [@ThursoFC] (25 February 2023). "IT'S MATCHDAY FOLKS. Vikings host @InvergordonFC at Naver All weather 3G with a 1 p.m kick off in The @MacandMac28 @NorthCaleyFA league #TFC #Vikings" (Tweet). Retrieved 25 February 2023 – via Twitter.
  47. ^ Thurso Football Club [@ThursoFC] (5 November 2022). "It's MATCHDAY and we take on @LochNessFC at Morrison Park, Halkirk In the @MacandMac28 @NorthCaleyFA league with a 1 p.m kick-off #TFC #Vikings" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 November 2022 – via Twitter.
  48. ^ Thurso Football Club [@ThursoFC] (22 October 2022). "Kick off at Naver, Thurso v Orkney" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 October 2022 – via Twitter.
  49. ^ North Caledonian FA [@NorthCaleyFA] (27 January 2023). "Note - Thurso v St.Duthus has been moved to Naver 3G with a 1 p.m kick off #NCFA #NorthCaley" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 January 2023 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ "North Caledonian League Results". North Caledonian League. North Caledonian League. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  51. ^ "Licensed Clubs - June 2022" (PDF). Retrieved 2 August 2022.

External links edit