No rest for Brown and backroom team as summer building job starts at Strathspey Thistle
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Jags boss Charlie Brown admits it was very disappointing to sign off the season with two home defeats but praised his side for their efforts in avoiding the drop.
The Grantown club went down 4-2 to basement club Fort William when Thistle had been looking to make it three unbeaten just over a week ago.
They were hit by two sucker punches after Ross Logan had made it 2-2 in the 84th minute.
Brown was happier with the performance last Saturday but the game still ended in another home loss with Lloyd Robertson’s goal just after the half-hour giving Inverurie Locos the points.
But despite squandering a good chance against Fort for another win, the Jags still finished the season above Turriff United and Fort William.
That will give Brown and his backroom team something to build on over the summer.
He told the Strathy: “It was very disappointing especially the Fort William game. It was hard to take.
“The boys performed well enough but again they failed to take their chances and that has cost us the whole season.
“To their credit, Fort William continued to press and harass us and they got their reward.”
Craig Mackenzie gave the Jags the lead in the ‘away’ game played last Wednesday night at Seafield Park with Fort’s Claggan Park out of commission for the whole season.
But loanee Ethan Cairns came back to haunt his old club striking on the stroke of half-time to make it 1-1. The 17 year old spent the first half of the season on loan with the Jags and arrived at Fort William at the end of March on loan from Caley Thistle.
Adam Morris gave the visitors the lead on the hour before Logan levelled things up. But that good work was undone by Igor Sani (85th) and Yves Zama (90th) to give Fort their very first – and only – win of the league campaign.
Brown said: “We tried to bounce back on Saturday and certainly gave a better performance but again we failed to take a few chances that should have been converted. Ross Logan had a couple of chances one on one but their keeper stayed big and blocked his efforts.”
“If we had scored one of our opportunities at 0-0 then it is a different game but Inverurie got a well worked goal and deserved their lead.”
Brown said: “It was a disappointing end to the season but I can not fault the boys for their effort they have put in especially over recent weeks to keep the club up. I can’t be too harsh on them.”
He took some consolation over finishing 16th: “That was the aim – to stay away from bottom place. The fact we managed to get above Turriff as well was pleasing as it gives us something to build on for next season.”
Saturday might have been the final day of the season but there is no down time yet for Brown.
He has been out watching junior football across the region in the hope of spotting talent he can bring into the Seafield Park fold. He has also held discussions with several Highland League players in the hope of luring them to Grantown.
But he accepts that there are unlikely to be any quick additions as players weigh up their options.
The Grantown club will also be keeping a keen eye as ever on happenings at Inverness Caley Thistle and Ross County once their seasons are completed.
“We have contacts out watching players in the North Caledonian League to see if we can pick up a wee gem,” said Brown.
“We have made some offers to players in the Highland League who hopefully see what we are trying to build here but there will be numerous offers for them.”
Most of the Jags’ loan players now return to their parent clubs with the exception of Dylan Lawrence who signed an 18-month deal from Elgin City.
