Strathspey Thistle left to rue missed chances in 2-0 defeat to Clach
Strathspey Boss Ryan Esson was left to rue missed opportunities as his side went down to Clachnacuddin in the Breedon Highland League last night.
This was the third meeting of the season in which the respective side’s have met with the Grantown side still to record a victory.
Following defeats in both the North of Scotland Cup and Highland League Cup to the Merkinch side, the Jags made the trip to the Highland Capital looking to record their second league win of the season to move from the bottom of the table.
However, following a workmanlike performance the Jags are still looking for that victory following a 2-0 loss at Grant Street Park.
A goal in either half gave the Inverness side the points on offer, courtesy of goals from Connor Bunce and substitute Lewis Mackenzie. leaving the Jags rooted at the bottom.
The opening exchanges were fast and furious with both teams going in search of an early breakthrough.
In the 12th minute Juan Cueller burst into the box and with Joe Malin advancing to meet him, only a late saving challenge from skipper Harry Nicolson kept the scoreline level.
Minutes later, the home defence was again under pressure this time.
Paul Brindle and Lewis Mackie combined on the edge of the box to open up the home rearguard with Ben Cormack denying Mackie a sight on goal as the visitors surged forward.
The visitors continued to create opportunities with Filip Franczak testing Malin with a low drive from the edge of the box that the keeper held comfortably at his near post.
That pressure continued when Brindle released Kieran Duffty on the edge of the box, with Malin saving well from the midfielder at his near post.
The home side countered and came close on the half hour to making the breakthrough when Connor Bunce and James Anderson combined with the latter’s final effort drifting wide of the target.
Back came the visitors, and there were appeals for a penalty, with 12 minutes of the first period remaining when Cueller went down in the box following a hefty challenge from Ben Cormack from a Duffty cross.
But referee Lewis Brown waived away such appeals.
The visitors had a major let-off in the 40th minute when Troy Cooper should have broken the deadlock.
He found himself with time and space but contrived to fire his effort wide of the post with Euan Storrier a spectator.
However, four minutes later the home side surged in front after a misplaced pass in midfield by the Jags found Connor Bunce, 25 yards from goal, and his powerfully struck effort beat Storrier all ends up too give the home side the lead – against the run of play at this juncture.
The second period opened with both teams creating chances, with the home side coming more into proceedings as the second period wore on.
In 65 minutes, a superb double point blank save from Jags keeper Euan Storrier kept the score at 1-0 – first denying Bunce quickly followed by James Anderson with the rebound.
Chances continued to come and go at both ends with Paul Brindle coming closest to levelling the match with an effort that carried just beyond the far post with Malin looking on anxiously.
Ten minutes from time Clach substitute Scott Davidson raced past two defenders on the edge of the box – but with Storrier racing to meet him, screwed his left foot strike beyond the far post.
Back came the Jags and two minutes later some nice footwork from substitute Josh Race saw him get to the byline and his cross evade the defence but with the goal gaping Brindle fired past the upright.
That miss was to prove costly for the visitors as the home side sealed their latest victory in the last minute.
The visitors lost the ball in midfield, and when Davidson found Lewis Mackenzie bursting into the box, the youngster held his nerve to beat the keeper with a clinical finish to end any chance of saving the match from the Seafield Park side.
Manager Ryan Esson will be happy with his side’s work ethic throughout, but not so happy with the chances created but failed to take.
Again, it was an Achilles heel for the visitors with two errors eventually proving costly.
Next up is a visit to Station Park, Nairn on Saturday, before a Scottish Cup meeting with Sauchie Juniors at Seafield Park, next weekend.
Strathspey Thistle: Euan Storrier, Filip Franczak, James McShane, Steven MacDonald, Cameron Lisle, Liam Shewan, James Fraser (Caelan Mutch 75) Paul Brindle, Lewis Mackie (Josh Race 65) Kieran Duffty (Muller 75) Juan Cueller 65).
Subs unused: Kit Fletcher (gk) Aaron Doran
Match Referee: Lewis Brown.
