Gulf in class is there to see admits Ritchie
Despite taking the lead against 10 men, Strathspey Thistle are still without that elusive first win of the season as Turriff United fought back to beat the Jags 3-1.
The result reflects the gulf in quality between two clubs who stepped up to the Highland League from the junior ranks at the same time almost two-and-a-half years ago.
With Turriff afforded the luxury of being able to replenish their squad with top class Highland League players, Thistle have had to make do with the best of the talent in the local area.
And they faced up to a United side that was barely recognisable compared to the one they met when the two clubs were junior rivals.
One player who does possess an extra touch of class is veteran midfielder Gary Farquhar and he opened the scoring with an exquisite free kick following the dismissal of Stuart Taylor.
However, no sooner had Strathspey gone in front than they were pegged back by a Dave McKenzie header.
The same player made it two on the stroke of half time before former Jag Jerry O’Driscoll rounded things off for Turriff late on.
Thistle manager Brian Ritchie acknowledged the ever-increasing disparity between the two clubs.
He said: "Turriff United certainly look as though they are already on a different level to us.
"They have great backing from their sponsors and their community and we were very impressed with their welcoming nature while we are still the poor relatives of the Highland League."
He added: "There was nothing between the teams in the first half but going one up on top of them losing a man woke them up and they threw caution to the wind.
"I have to be delighted with how we started the game though as we had 14 players out, mostly through injury.
"Gary Farquhar scored with a well-taken free kick and showed what he can do on that score. It was pre-arranged as we wanted Gary on top of all of the set pieces.
"To lose the equaliser immediately showed a lack of experience though. It let them back into the game and the writing was on the wall from there on.
"It was naive to let Dave McKenzie get the space to score twice.
"Our players must have thought it would be easier playing against ten but they went with three up front, three at the back and had boys bombing up the wings – if you don’t match runs, you are going to be in trouble and that is what happened.
"With our start, it emphasised we have Mateusz Bobrowski playing the way we want him to play.
"The players gave us everything in terms of commitments and I am still encouraged through all of the adversity. We are not far away."