Strathspey Thistle claim first three points of season in emphatic style
Strathspey Thistle’s season has finally kicked off following an emphatic victory over basement battlers Lossiemouth at Seafield Park.
A battling performance from the home side on Saturday saw them overcome the Coasters 3-0, with goals from Aaron Nicolson, Scot Docherty and Juan Cueller to secure their opening three points of the season.
The Jags went into the match looking for a positive reaction following their disappointing showing at Buckie in midweek.
And new Boss Ryan Esson must have been delighted with response he got from the players as they dominated the match for long spells throughout.
The Jags lined up with eight of the players who had started against Buckie keeping their places, and also had former Brora Rangers and Nairn County striker Paul Brindle coming in to lead the attack as a trialist.
There were also recalls for goalkeeper Euan Storrier, and Alistair Nixon, while Lewis Mackie and Caelan Mutch both dropped to the bench.
The home side opened on the offensive and almost grabbed the lead inside the three minutes.
A cross from Juan Cuellar to the far post saw the ball break to Paul Brindle inside the six-yard box, and only a timely block from Lossie keeper Stuart Knight kept the scoreline blank.
Three minutes later the same player watched as his right foot effort from the edge of the box cannoned of the base of the post with the keeper looking on anxiously as the home side looked to make an early breakthrough.
The visitors responded and a well struck effort from Ross Morrison saw the midfielder strike a crisp 20- yard effort that brought an excellent full length save from Euan Storrier.
Within 60 seconds the home side were awarded a penalty when Lewis McAndrew was adjudged to have halted Paul Brindle’s progress – with the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.
Aaron Nicolson duly swept home the resultant spot kick.
Nicolson was in the thick of the action seven minutes later with an 18 yard effort that brought a fine full length save from keeper Stuart Knight at his near post, as the home side probed in an effort to increase their advantage.
The home side maintained the upper-hand, and Paul Brindle went close after 25 minutes with a snapshot from the edge of the box that was held confidently by the keeper.
Three minutes later a powerful left foot drive from Cuellar almost caught Knight out at his near post.
Lossiemouth were by now seen little in an attacking sense with the home side pressing forward at every opportunity.
A through ball from Brindle released Alistair Nixon at the edge of the visitors penalty area but passed up the chance when he fired high over the bar from 15 yards.
The momentum was building on the visitors and with 11 minutes of the first period remaining it was 2-0.
Brindle and Aaron Nicolson combined to open up the visitors rearguard for the latter to cross for Scot Docherty to apply the finish for his first goal for the club.
Euan Storrier was called into action on the stroke of half-time when he pulled of an excellent save to deny Connor MacGauley who had fired a right foot effort through a ruck of players on the edge of the box following a corner.
The home side was in no mood to relinquish their advantage and six minutes after the restart they went close to adding a third, when Nicolson tested the keeper with an effort from 20 yards that Knight got down well to block at his near post.
Lossiemouth were struggling to make any headway against a home side who were well marshalled at the heart of the defence by Conor Macphee and skipper James McShane.
The match was virtually over as a contest when the home side added a third in some style.
Neat build up down the right flank ended with Juan Cuellar getting on the end of a Nicolson cross and firing home the third at the far post with Knight helpless.
The visitors responded and with 10 minutes remaining Struan Fraser tested Euan Storrier with a well struck 30 yard effort that the keeper pushed over the bar at full stretch.
Manager Ryan Esson will have taken a number of positive’s from his side’s latest performance, scoring three goals, keeping a clean sheet, and his team’s overall display throughout will surely give him confidence going into next weekend’s tough league meeting with Brechin City at Glebe Park.
Strathspey Thistle: Euan Storrier, Alistair Nixon, Cammy Lisle, James McShane, Conor MacPhee, Scot Docherty, Juan Cuellar, James Fraser (Caelan Mutch 78) Paul Brindle (Lewis Mackie 80) Josh Race (Kieran Duffty 80)
Subs not used: Kit Fletcher (gk) Doeimassei Doguie, Aaron Doran
