Clach prove too sharp for Jags
THE Jags suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to a Clachnacuddin side who have now made it four Highland League game wins in a row.
Gordon Morrison’s double and a late Michael Finnis strike was more than enough for the visitors from Inverness to bag all the points at Seafield Park on Saturday.
Jags manager Brian Ritchie was pleased with his side’s effort, but he conceded that the Lilywhites are one of the best teams in the Highland League on their day.
Ritchie was reluctant to point the finger at any of his players for the defeat, and he is hopeful his team can take lessons from each game.
He said: “I felt we worked very hard throughout the whole game, but Clach have quality all over the park, and if you give them room they can play as well as anyone in the league.
“I think we showed we are making it a wee bit more difficult for teams to steamroller us, and as long as the boys keep to our game plan and keep us in the game to half-time we are always in with the chance of creating a wee shock.
“Once again it was small mistakes that let Clach in for the three goals, but I’m not about to criticise the lads. They give us what they have and more every week, and will learn from each game.”
Ritchie said he was disappointed with the decision to rule out what he thought was a Jags goal early in the second half which would have got the side back into the match.
He said: “Mateusz Bobrowski was in an offside position but clearly made no attempt to address the play and stood still as Marc Macdonald came from midfield to chase the ball and slot home.
“I felt it was a poor decision to chalk the goal off, but it wasn’t the only one.”
The Jags boss paid tribute to the Inverness’s side dangerman.
“Gordy Morrison showed what he’s about; he makes a nuisance of himself all around the back four, peels off here and there and is always in the right place when needed to stick the ball in the net,” he said.
“He’s a very good player and a good sportsman along with it.”
Ritchie added: “We keep working hard in training and I’m sure eventually what we work on will become second nature to the boys, it’s just taking a wee bit longer than I had hoped.
“The players were told to move the ball quicker and get service into the 18-yard area sooner.
“We were not positive enough at times and wanted too many touches on the ball which allowed Clach to put us under pressure in the tackle. I told them to squeeze the game up all the time and lessen the room between our three areas of play.”
Strathspey pitched former Nairn County striker Jason Robertson into action as a late replacement for Mateusz Bobrowski on Saturday, and Ritchie revealed he will be added to the Jags’ pool.
He said: “Jason will be coming on board, and we are delighted to welcome him to the club. He is a player we have been interested in for a couple of years, but due to his work commitments and previous playing situation it wasn’t possible.
“We will work round his offshore situation, and he will be a great addition to our squad.”
Clach’s opening goal arrived just before the half-hour mark, when Chris Ross’s delivery was cleared only as far as Gordon Morrison, who finished calmly past Robbie Donaldson.
On 64 minutes Morrison doubled his and the Lilywhites’ tally when he struck a sweet shot low into the bottom corner from 18 yards.
With eight minutes remaining, Michael Finnis got on the end of Paul Brindle’s low driven cross to seal the points from close range.
Strathspey Thistle: Donaldson, Mochan, Tulloch, Hendry, G. Sutherland, Chisholm, Hardie, Swinton (McShane 74), Bobrowski (Robertson 83), Reinsons (Smith 69), MacDonald. Subs: G. MacKenzie, Klarkins.
Clach: Campbell, Finnis, Tatters (MacDonald 81), Milne, Williamson, Callum, Ross, Pollock, Morrison (Kennedy 85), Graham, Ellis (Brindle 70). Subs: Dougal, Robertson.
Scorers: Gordon Morrison (30, 64), Michael Finnis (82).
Referee: G. Beaton.