Assistant could be Jags’ key man for Highland League clash with Forres Mechanics
Boss Ryan Esson is hoping that some inside knowledge could help the Jags come away with a postitive result from Mosset Park this weekend.
The Grantown side missed out again at the weekend with the six pointer home game to Wick Academy being called off because of a frozen pitch.
Thistle have not played since the end of November when they suffered a frustrating 3-0 home loss to Deveronvale.
But Esson is hoping that they can make a winning return with the help of assistant manager Don Johnstone against Forres Mechanics.
He spent six years coaching in Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s academy and women’s set-ups followed by a brief spell at Forres Mechanics, before linking back up with Esson at Seafield Park in September.
Esson said: “We know Forres pretty well because Don was there at the beginning of the season.
“They have had a really good season. They are secure in midtable and played well against Brora at the weekend.
“They have a threat up front and have good legs in the middle of the park. we know we are going to have to work hard to get something out of the game.”
Esson said that the basement battle with Wick was a long way from going ahead at the weekend.
“It was never going to be playable - the pitch was so hard,” he said. “We could not even get a metal garden fork into the ground at all and that was Friday.
“Fortunately we are not too far behind in games.
“It has been a bit frustrating as we are trying to get a bit of rhythm and consistency but the games keep getting called off so we are having extended breaks.
So we have had to focus on training.
“We tried to get a pitch on Saturday for an extra training session but there was no astro turf available (in Inverness).
Esson instead took in the Nairn County versus Clach game on Saturday which ended 2-2.
James Anderson was the hero as he rescued a point for Clachnacuddin in injury time in a terrific Highland League encounter at Station Park.
The injured Jamie Calder and the suspended Paul Brindle will be unavailable as he waits to serve his one match ban for two yellow cards in the Jags last outing against Deveronvale.
Alan Kerr and Jordan Laidlaw remain long term absentees through injuries.
Esson said: “Other than that there are no new injury worries for us.”
Meanwhile Gordon MacNab has joined local rivals Rothes who are just one place above them in the table.
The central midfielder was unavailable for personal reasons to play for Esson.
“It was the right time for him to come back into football but he did not want to do so here,” said Esson.
“I was not going to stand in his way and we wish him all the best.”
