Strathspey Thistle buckle in second 45 after encouraging first half
New boss Ryan Esson will have gone into his side’s latest Breedon Highland League encounter with Formartine United, at Seafield Park, last weekend with some positivity following Strathspey’s latest performances.
The Grantown side put in good displays against both Deveronvale in the league and Clachnacuddin in the North of Scotland Cup and were unlucky to lose both 3-2.
However, he will have been disappointed at the way in which his side conceded three second half goals on Saturday.
He will also be frustrated by their failure to convert a number of opportunities presented to them throughout this latest defeat to Formartine.
The club have began the season by picking up a number of injuries in the early weeks which has somewhat hampered team selection as a result.
Josh Laidlaw, Liam Shewan, Jamie Calder, Ethan Rae all remain on the sidelines with injuries that could yet keep them out for varying spells.
The encouraging momentum did continuein the opening period of their latest league fixture against the Aberdeenshire side, even though they turned round at the interval behind to an own goal from Conor Macphee – much was expected during the second half.
The home side opened up with the same starting 11 that had performed so well against the Lilywhites in midweek.
They started the match on the front foot and a teasing ball to the far post from Aaron Nicolson almost caught out Formartine keeper Ewen MacDonald inside the opening five minutes, with the custodian looking on anxiously as the ball drifted over at the far post.
James McShane passed up a golden opportunity for the Jags when he was only inches away from heading the opener following a Juan Cuellar corner in the 20th minute mark.
Seven minutes later the visitors retaliated and a flashing drive from skipper Graeme Rodger flew over the crossbar.
Three minutes later the visitors broke the deadlock – somewhat against the run of play.
Following neat build up down the left flank, the home defence failed to clear their line effectively.
Paul Campbell delivered the cross into the six yard box and Conor MacPhee, in attempting to avert the danger, only succeeded in diverting the ball into his own net for the opener.
In 35 minutes, the home side had a major let-off, when Tyler MyKyta darted to the edge of the box, his cross eluded Storrier, but to the amazement of the spectators watched as striker Paul Campbell contrived to head past the post with the goal gaping.
The provider almost turned goal scorer when moments later his acrobatic effort drifted wide of the target with three minutes of the first period remaining.
The home side started the second period again on the offensive, and went in search of that elusive equaliser.
Dylan Lawrence tested keeper MacDonald with a strike from the edge of the box, that the keeper held confidently.
Ten minutes after the re-start, the home side passed up a gilt-edged opportunity when Dylan Lawrence weaved his way into the box, following a powerful run, that found Aaron Nicolson on the six yard box but the striker contrived to fire his effort over the crossbar with the home support waiting for the net to bulge.
That miss was to prove costly for the Jags, for the visitors duly increased their advantage on 65 minutes.
A corner was taken by Tyler MyKyta and his cross was knocked home by Lewis Wilson at the far post.
Three minutes later it was 3-0, when a long clearance eluded the home defence allowing Mykyta the easiest of opportunities to end the match as a contest with a close range effort.
With the visitors now in control of proceedings and pulling the strings in midfield, Kieran Lawrence was only inches away with a free kick that just drifted wide of the near post.
Worse was to follow for the home side when the visitors grabbed a fourth effort with seven minutes remaining in bizarre circumstances.
They were awarded a free-kick on the half way line and with Matthew Maclean spotting home keeper Euan Storrier a couple of yards of his line.
The defender duly flighted a well delivered effort over the stranded custodian and into the top corner of the net.
Three minutes into injury time and a lightning break saw Rodger run at the home defence and when he released Mykyta, Storrier raced from his area to deny the striker.
This was a frustrating afternoon for the new gaffer and his side given recent performances however, they are making and creating chances, and that is a positive sign moving forward.
Strathspey Thistle take on league champions Buckie Thistle on Wednesday and then host Lossiemouth on Saturday.
Strathspey Thistle: Euan STORRIER, Cameron LISLE, Caelan MUTCH, James MCSHANE, Conor MACPHEE, Tyler EADIE (Scot DOCHERTY 72) Josh RACE (Keiran DUFFTY 60) James FRASER, Aaron NICOLSON, Dylan LAWRENCE (Lewis MACKIE 72) Juan CUELLAR (Doguie DOEIMASSEI 80)
Subs unused: Aaron DORAN, Kit FLETCHER (GK)
