Depleted Jags run out of steam against Locos
Strathspey Thistle were beaten 5-0 by Inverurie Locos on Saturday in a game in which the Jags fielded a depleted team after a flu bug swept through the squad.
Three late Locos goals made for a somewhat harsh final reflection on the efforts of Brian Ritchie’s men, after the Garioch side had raced into a two-goal lead shortly after half-time.
No less than 13 players were sidelined for the Jags, with Fraser Tulloch and Garry Sutherland suspended after being sent off in their previous match against Rothes.
In addition, David Ross, David Robertson, Steven MacDonald, Sandis Reinsons, Marc MacDonald, Cammy Dudgeon, Jordan Wardrope, Jason Robertson and David Ritchie were all absent.
Joe Hardie and Nicky Mochan were listed on the bench, despite being under the weather.
Ritchie inevitably felt the weight of those missing from his selection.
He said: "We are obviously disappointed with the final result, but we need to remember we went into the game without 13 regular starters who either had flu or were suspended.
"To lose players such as these was a huge blow for us, but the lads who came in and were asked to fill a shirt and play out of position, did not let us down.
"I am very grateful to them all for their efforts to the cause in putting up a great fighting display for 88 minutes against a very strong Locos side.
"Going in 0-0 at half-time was maybe a little lucky, but the lads deserved it for their rugged defending and hard work.
"We felt that the longer we could frustrate Locos the better. There is no question, they were the better team, but that was always going to be the case.
"They have assembled a very good side who play direct football and get bodies into the box at every opportunity.
"I felt our lads made a game of it for a good hour, but when Locos got their noses in front they were clinical. I think a fair reflection would have been the two earlier goals in the second half, but we just ran out of steam.
"It was not a disaster by any means – as I say, the boys we called on to get the game played did not let us down.
"The opposing management team had very kind, sporting words for us at the end, something I had hoped for from last week’s opponents Rothes.
"Good luck to Locos, it’s a great wee set up with a friendly management and committee."
After a first-half in which Strathspey had withheld spells of Locos pressure, the home side scored twice in the opening 15 minutes of the second period – with both goals coming from Craig Ross corners.
The first found its way to Scott Begg who diverted the ball past Willie Ridgers, before Neil Gauld doubled the lead with a back-post flick.
The game then hit something of a lull until Locos capitalised on a tiring Jags defence in the closing moments, with a quick three-goal salvo.
Nicky Gordon headed in the third on 89 minutes, before Gauld picked out Bain seconds later and he finished calmly to make it four.
In the dying moments, Gauld netted his second after being picked out by youngster Mark Souter.
Inverurie: Reid, Adams (Young 79), McLean, Clark Bain, Park, Broadhurst, Ross, Begg (Souter 85), Gauld, Low (McKay 68), Gordon. Subs: Scott, Gray.
Scorers: Scott Begg (51), Neil Gauld (60, 90), Nicky Gordon (89), Clark Bain (90)
Strathspey: Ridgers, Fraser, Sutherland, Ireland, Hendry, Chisholm (McShane 40), Swinton, Bobrowski, Rothney, A. Mackenzie (Smith 73), G. Mackenzie. Subs: Mochan, Hardie, Donaldson.
Referee – T. Shaw.