New look Strathspey Thistle go down 5-0 on opening day of Highland League
A new look Strathspey with seven players making their Highland League debut was unable to launch the new era with a win on Saturday.
The Jags made the long trip to Huntly on Saturday for their opening game of the new season in the Breedon Highland League.
They were looking to record a positive result following plenty of encouragement in their pre-season build up.
However, they found the home side a hard nut to crack in a 5-0 defeat.
The experienced Christie Park side was in no mood to relinquish the points.
Last season they had won the fixture by 7-0 in February.
Strathspey only had skipper James McShane and Caelan Mutch remaining from last season.
Confidence was positive following their Seafield Park outfit’s pre-season programme, with three victories, and a draw from their six scheduled matches.
The Jags went into the league opener without Elgin City Loanee Dylan Lawrence while influential midfield man James Fraser who took a knock against Ross County in midweek was on the bench.
Former Inverness Caledonian Thistle pair Lewis Mackie and Alistair Nixon both made their Highland League debut and neither player looked out of place against a strong and experienced Huntly side.
The visitors were given a sharp reminder of how to remain on their toes, when the home side made the breakthrough after just three minutes.
Joe Gauld made the running down the right flank, and after weaving his way along the byeline his deft cross was headed home by Angus Grant for the opener.
The Jags countered and a well-flighted cross from Alistair Nixon to the far post saw Lewis Mackie power a header back into the six- yard box, with skipper James McShane close to getting the final touch with keeper Logan Ross advancing from his line.
That miss was to prove costly for Strathspey as the home side surged up the park and duly added to their lead.
Keeper Kit Fletcher pushed a drive from Angus Grant onto the far post at full stretch but with the keeper on the ground the striker added his second of the match from six yards.
The home side were now in control and the same player almost grabbed his hat-trick on the half hour with another header from a corner.
The home side’s pressure continued, and they added a third, when Sam Robertson lobbed Kit Fletcher from the edge of the box to put the Strathbogie side in the driving seat at the interval.
The hosts almost added a fourth in 49 minutes. Lewis Crosbie, and Jags keeper Fletcher raced for a loose ball at the edge of the box, and when the the ball broke to Robertson, his final effort hit the top of the crossbar with the keeper scrambling back to his line.
Strathspey were desperately trying to find a way past a well marshalled home rearguard in which skipper Cameron Heslop was outstanding throughout.
The Grantown side’s Caelan Mutch was causing problems down the right flank with his pace.
Lewis Mackie went close on the hour, when he turned a defender in the box, however, his final effort lacked direction under pressure from two defenders. Strathspey Thistle
Four minutes later the home side increased their advantage further when Crosbie swept home a right wing cross from Joe Gauld to underline the Christie Park side’s superiority.
Brodie Allen rounded of the scoring in the closing stages, when the home side were awarded a free kick after Angus Grant was upended outside the box.
The striker stepped up and curled a fine 20-yard effort over the wall and into the postage stamp corner of the net to round of a comfortable victory.
A harsh reality check to begin the season, but one it is hoped the squad will have learned from in the weeks and months ahead.
Things do not get any easier for the Jags as they entertain Brora Rangers here at Seafield Park on Saturday.
Strathspey Thistle: Kit Fletcher (Ethan Rae 70): Alistair Nixon, Brodie Mitchell, Connor MacPhee (Trialist 82), Jamie Calder (Doeimassei Doguie 45), Jordan Laidlaw, Lewis Mackie (Kieran Duffy 70), Josh Race, James McShane, Gordon MacNab & Caelan Mutch
