Jags grab share of the points in 3-3 thriller against Nairn County
The Jags gave one of their best performances of the season in recording a share of the points from their meeting with Nairn County in the Breedon Highland League.
It was a pulsating encounter at Station Park yesterday afternoon.
Strathspey made three changes to the side that had lost to Clachnacuddin in midweek, with Stephen Rennie, Alistair Nixon and Josh Race coming into the starting line-up.
The Jags could count themselves most unlucky to have gone down to the Merkinch side 2-0 for that performance warranted a better outcome than the final result – so they headed to Station Park on league duty with some confidence.
The match opened at a fast and furious pace – and the home side should have been ahead as early as the opening minute when striker Ben Barron met a Gus Dey cross at the far post but contrived to knock his effort wide of the far post with the goal at his mercy.
The visitors took heart from that major let-off and grew into the match and only a strong challenge from skipper Fraser Dingwall denied Josh Race.
The Grantown side continued to push forward with Filip Franczak just failing to get on the end of a Paul Brindle cross as the visitors continued to push players forward in search of that opening counter.
Franczak went close again with a flashing 20 yard drive after 29 minutes, with keeper Dylan Maclean saving well at his near post, with striker Paul Brindle waiting for any slip.
The opener however, was only delayed, as the visitors broke the deadlock on the half hour with a goal of real quality.
Liam Shewan made the running in midfield and found Paul Brindle on the edge of the box with a deft through ball.
The striker ran through, and spotting the keeper coming of his line – lobbed a superb effort into the far corner of the net with the number one helpless to give the visitors a deserved lead.
The visitors continued to hold the upper-hand with the pace of Juan Cueller and Josh Race causing the home defence no end of problems.
As the interval approached the home support was getting frustrated by their team’s performance, in contrast to the visitors who were really on their game and causing all sorts of problems.
The Station Park side were struggling to break down the visitors defence who were marshalled by Cameron Lisle and James McShane – with both full backs in the shape of Alistair Nixon and Stephen Rennie getting forward at every opportunity.
The visitors began the second period where they had ended the first, with James Fraser going close with a right foot effort that carried wide of the post following a Josh Race corner.
That missed opportunity was to prove costly for the visitors as the home side levelled six minutes after the re-start.
A lightning break following a Strathspey corner caught out the visitors allowing Ben Barron to release Jamie Williamson who raced on and crossed to the far post for Barron to level the match at the far post.
Scott Lisle should have given the home side the lead five minutes later, when he rose to meet a cross but instead headed over the bar when presented with the chance.
Euan Storrier made a fine point blank save to deny Jamie Williamson on 59 minutes, as the home side started to dictate proceedings.
Three minutes later the hosts were ahead, when Ben Barron swivelled on the edge of the box to beat Storrier with a clinical finish for his second of the match.
But parity was restored soon afterwards when the visitors were awarded a penalty after former Nairn County midfielder Liam Shewan was upended in the area by Nairn skipper Fraser Dingwall – with the match referee pointing immediately to the penalty spot.
Shewan stepped up and swept home the resultant spot kick to level the match.
Minutes later, and with the pace of the match unrelenting, Williamson went close for the home side with a header that brought a fine save from the keeper.
The drama continued with the visitors restoring their advantage after 73 minutes.
A straight pass from skipper James McShane sliced open the Nairn defence for the impressive Filip Franczak to race through a static rearguard to beat the helpless Dylan Maclean with a right foot effort.
The scoring had not finished there unfortunately for the Jags.
Six minutes later, it was 3-3. Matthew Wright tested Storrier with a strike from the left hand side of the box, that the keeper could only parry into the path of the ever-alert Ben Barron who steered the ball into an empty net to complete his hat-trick.
The closing stages continued to be played at a frantic pace with both side’s looking to probe for that late clincher.
For Strathspey each and every player performed to a high standard throughout and deserve a great deal of credit for their hard work over the 90 minutes.
They did not let their heads drop after going behind and should be congratulated for playing their part in what was a thoroughly entertaining encounter.
Overall, it was an excellent performance from the Jags who continue to improve under the guidance of new boss Ryan Esson.
The improvement since the former ICT coach’s appointment has been self-evident with performances in the last few games setting them up nicely going into Saturday’s Scottish Cup encounter with Sauchie Juniors.
Strathspey Thistle: Euan Storrier, Stephen Rennie, Alistair Nixon, James McShane, Cameron Lisle, Filip Franczak, Juan Cueller (Kieran Duffty 58) James Fraser, Paul Brindle, Liam Shewan, Josh Race
Subs unused: Kit Fletcher(gk) Doeimassei Doguie, Lewis Mackie, Aaron Doran
