Strathspey Thistle make piece of club cup history
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Strathspey Thistle 2-1 Lossiemouth
STRATHSPEY Thistle are relishing the chance to enter uncharted territory having won a Scottish Cup game for the first-ever time in the club's history.
After beating Lossiemouth, the Jags will travel to face League Two side Stirling Albion in the second round of the national competition on October 19.
Saturday's victory over the Coasters proved to be an action-packed encounter at Seafield Park in Grantown.
Thistle finished the game with 10-men after Chris Innes was sent off and had to rely on a superb penalty save from keeper Michael MacCallum to seal their historic win.
Manager Gordy Nicolson said afterwards: "We just wanted to get through. I don't think it was our best performance.
"We had chances in the first half after scoring that could have put us further ahead. They equalised and we could have defended that situation better. It was a big, long clearance up the park and their player won a foot race to score.
"Thankfully within about 40 seconds we regained the lead. It would have been nice to score another late on to make it easier on the nerves.
"We are looking forward to the Stirling game in a couple of weeks. It will be good to have a change of pace and to get a team from the Scottish Leagues."
The Jags took the lead against their Highland League rivals when a free-kick from the right wing by Stephen Rennie found its way into the net.
The Grantown side then had a good chance to extend their advantage before the break, but Trevor Dear produced an excellent save to block Liam Taylor's shot.
Lossie got back on level terms after the break when Brodie Allen sprinted clear of the Thistle defence and produced a composed finish.
However, Thistle quickly retook the lead courtesy of a powerful left-footed strike by Taylor. The visitors were then presented with a great chance to restore parity again after Scott Morrison was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball in the home penalty area.
Scott Wilson took the resultant spot-kick, but he was denied by a fantastic diving save from MacCallum.
A nervy finish for the Jags was ensured as they were reduced to 10 men when Innes was sent off having received his second booking.
The home side could have made their progression to the second round smoother had John Cameron finished off a late breakaway, but two goals was enough to go through.
Nicolson commented: "I am so pleased for guys like Michael MacCallum and James McShane who have been here for a number of Scottish Cup defeats, to have won. It is also great for the committee and everyone at the club that we have got through to the next round."
The Jags are back on Highland League duty on Saturday when they welcome Rothes to Seafield Park.
The cup draw means a chance for Stirling's top scorer Josh Peters, from Aviemore, to face his old club. He has scored four in six game so far this season.
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