Jags boss Charlie Brown delighted with first three points of the season
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Boss Charlie Brown was naturally delighted with Strathspey Thistle's first win of the season and hopes that it could be a turning point in their campaign.
Elgin City loan teenager Aiden Cruickshank continued his rich vein of form scoring his fifth goal in as many games for the Jags to give them the lead in the 8th minute.
Liam Grant then extended the Grantown side's lead in the 23rd minute.
The only blot on the copybook for Thistle was Cruickshank getting his marching orders late on meaning that he will receive at least a one-match ban.
Brown said afterwards: "We were obviously delighted with the three points. It was a hard fought game in difficult conditions but the two teams made it a really entertaining game.
"We are pleased to come away with all of the points but what I am happiest about is that we kept a cleansheet.
"Clach did apply some pressure after we went 2-0 up but we withstood that and had chances our own to extend our lead."
Brown said the spirit in the away changing room afterwards was great and joked: "Some of the boys were a bit of a disappointed that it was a midweek game rather than a Saturday so that they could not go out and celebrate afterwards.
"But it was really pleasing to see the boys enjoying their well deserved win."
He praised his side for pressing Clach all over the pitch which limited the host's opportunities in front of goal.
The Grant Park Street outfit's only real chance to reduce the deficit was when James Anderson – the league's second top scorer last season – went through one on one with Jags keeper Oliver Kelly who did well to close the forward down and force the ball out for a corner.
Cruickshank scored when he fired home across keeper Martin Mackinnon and then the Jags added to their lead midway through the half with a well-worked goal.
Jack Davidson did well in midfield to feed the ball to Owen Paterson whose good cross evaded a host of players in the box before finding Grant to convert.
Clach were unable to find a way back in the game.
That result means Jags have opened up a six point gap on bottom club Banks O' Dee, who last week received an 24 point deduction.
Dee, still smarting from having their points tally chopped back to minus one, went down 2-0 at Rothes in what was only their second league defeat since joining the Highland League.
The Jags will now host the team directly below them in the relegation play-off spot when they well Banks O'Dee to Seafield Park on Saturday.
Brown said: "I said to the boys after the win to enjoy the result last night and to take the plaudits and then prepare properly for what will be a difficult game on Saturday when we will be looking to continue picking up more points."
