Jags boss disappointed with Scottish Cup exit
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Strathspey Thistle’s brief flirtation with this year’s Scottish Cup came to a grinding halt on Saturday, with a 5–0 first round defeat at the hands of East of Scotland First Division outfit, Camelon Juniors.
The cup exit marks the Jags’ tenth game without a win this season.
But manager Charlie Brown feels as though his side had plenty of opportunities during the first half to take control of the game, before being undone by a penalty kick.
He said: “It was a disappointing result, but again it’s a fixture that got away from us. We created enough chances in the first half to be comfortably in the lead at half-time but as before we didn’t take them.
“I must give credit to their goalkeeper who pulled off some vital saves. This gave them confidence and they grew into the game. After they won a very soft penalty, the second goal killed the game for us. Some of our players seemed to down tools and it made it easy for them.”
The Jags passed up their best chance early in the match when Alan Kerr and Owen Loveland appeared to attack the same ball inside the area, before Camelon stopper Darren Dolan blocked a swipe from Kerr.
Incisive goalkeeping from Dolan prevented opportunities for Owen Paterson who found himself through on goal on two occasions.
But a Paterson trip on Camelon’s Kyle Sampson just before the half hour mark resulted in a penalty award, and Mitchell Taylor duly converted for the visitors.
The Jags were completely undone during a second half goal blitz as Taylor notched a hat-trick and Kieran Anderson and Lewis McArthur added further for the visitors.
There was one new face in the Thistle lineup – 20 year old Connor Austin – who has arrived at the club on a recommendation from England. The former Macclesfield Town defender, who also spent time with Swedish side Linkoping City, joins the Jags on a contract until the end of the season.
Brown added: “Connor has come up from London to join us. He has experience playing in England, Ireland and Sweden and is a hard tackling, composed centre half.”
Austin is expected to be available for this weekend’s visit of Inverurie Locos as the team returns to Highland Football League duty.
Thistle boss Brown is also hoping to welcome back first choice goalkeeper Michael Maccallum, who missed out on the Scottish Cup tie due to a wedding commitment.
