Heartbreak for Strathspey Thistle as they are sunk by injury time winner
New Strathspey Thistle manager Ryan Esson came desperately close to getting the Jags first points of the season.
He took his team to Princess Royal Park on league business at the weekend looking for a positive result against Deveronvale in Saturday’s Breedon’s Highland League encounter.
It came after the shock departure of Bobby Beckwith and his assistant Ronnie Sharp after just four games in charge.
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But an injury time effort denied Thistle a share of the points from a match in which their contribution throughout well merited some reward.
The first period saw the Grantown visitors control play for long spells and they deservedly went in at the break with a two-goal advantage with a converted penalty from Aaron Nicolson and Josh Race.
Strathspey lined-up with seven players from the team that was beaten 6-1 by Forres Mechanics the previous weekend.
Buckie Thistle keeper Euan Stottier made his league debut on loan in place of youngster Ethan Raewhile Alistair Nixon and Caelan Mutch were recalled in the full back berths, with Conor Macphee returning from injury.
It was the home side who opened on the front foot, and almost grabbed the lead inside the opening minute.
Rogan Reid sent Jack Mitchell clear at the edge of the box.
His angled drive beat Euan Storrier but cannoned of the base of the post with James McShane getting back to clear the danger.
Strathspey retaliated, and almost made the breakthrough on nine minutes, when Lewis Mackie raced onto a ball on the edge of the box, but with the keeper advancing saw his effort beat keeper Ethan Hopkinson but drift over the crossbar.
The visitors were by now looking the more likely to make the breakthrough with the twin strike force of Aaron Nicolson and Lewis Mackie causing the home defence all sorts of problems.
And it was the Jags who duly took the lead in the 17th minute.
Lewis Mackie found Aaron Nicolson with time and space inside the penalty area, after being set up by Jamie Calder.
Jaydan Bradford pulled down the striker and referee Mackinnon had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
When the dust had settled Nicolson swept home the resultant spot kick.
The visitors were now pushing forward at every opportunity holding the upperhand for long spells with the home side by now seen little in an attacking sense.
That pressure continued and the visitors deservedly increased their lead with eight minutes of the first period remaining.
Fine build up play down the left flank from Juan Cuellar saw him find Lewis Mackie who in turn released Josh Race on the edge of the box, and his right foot effort found the top corner of the net to put the visitors in the driving seat at the interval.
The home side started the second period with greater intent, and they reduced the leeway eight minutes after the re-start.
Mitchell crossed from the byeline for Ben Hermiston to head home unchallenged at the far post.
Two minutes later parity was restored, when Jack Mitchell headed a superb equaliser, following a left wing cross from Matthew Petermann.
Worse was to follow for the visitors when in 65 minutes, young striker Lewis Mackie was carried from the park with what looked like a serious injury, to be replaced by Doeimassei Doguie.
Back came the home side and a powerful drive from Adam Reid flashed past the far post as the pace of the match increased, with both side’s looking by now for a winner with numerous opportunities being created.
With the match finally balanced, and a share of the points likely, it was the home side who snatched the points at the death.
Three minutes into injury time, a cross from substitute Michael Watson found fellow substitute Adam Reid who swivelled to flick home.
The result will be disappointing for everyone at Strathspey Thistle, given the effort they put into the match, but there with be plenty of positives for new manager Ryan Esson to take going forward.
The Strathy Jags play host to Formartine United this Saturday.
Strathspey Thistle: Euan Storrier: Alistair Nixon, Caelan Mutch, Jamie Calder (Cameron Lisle 85) Conor MacPhee, James McShane, Juan Cardoba Cuellar, James Fraser, Aaron Nicolson (Dylan Lawrence 56) Lewis Mackie (Doeimassei Doguie 63) Josh Race.
Subs: Kit Fletcher (GK) Scott Docherty, Kieran Duffty, Aaron Doran.
Match Referee: Robert Mackinnon.
