Strathspey Thistle's travel woes continue with Clach defeat
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Clach 2-1 Strathspey Thistle
CLACH'S Scott Graham hit a stunning winner against his former club as Strathspey Thistle lost narrowly in Inverness.
The forward played for the Jags in the second half of last season, before he left for Buckie in the summer and then recently moved on to the Lilywhites.
Graham's goal just after the hour mark was the difference between the teams in an evenly-contested Highland League match last Saturday.
The Jags will feel disappointed not to have at least earned a share of the spoils given their efforts at Grant Street Park.
It was another defeat on the road for Thistle. Each of the 10 points they have gained in the league so far this season have come at home, courtesy of three wins and a draw.
Jags boss Gordy Nicolson said: "I am pleased we got a reaction from the players after falling behind. It was a really good move and I am really pleased with how our goal came about.
"For the first wee while in the game I didn't think we were quite at it.
"We finished the first half better, although we then handed them the initiative at the start of the second half and they scored again. I thought we finished the game as the stronger side and had a go. Disappointingly we have not done enough to get some points.
It was a sore one to take and there were a lot of disappointed players in the dressing room.
"It feels like a chance gone. If we are to achieve the targets we want to this season we need to start winning games."
A defensive mistake from the visitors gifted Clach the opening goal in the 27th minute.
A wayward header from Andrew Skinner was seized upon by Martin Callum and the midfielder was first to the ball, ahead of Thistle keeper Michael MacCallum, to slide the ball home.
However, the Grantown side was not behind for long. A superb passing move from the Jags got them back on level terms five minutes later, as a through-ball from James Fraser found Liam Taylor and he produced a composed finish.
After the break, Graham was denied the chance to shoot by a perfectly-timed last-ditch tackle by Strathspey's Chris Innes.
However, the Clach forward was soon given a sight of goal and he took full advantage of the 63rd-minute opportunity by lashing a half-volley into the top corner from 18 yards. Strathspey tried valiantly to rescue a point but could not find a late equaliser.
Richard Tawse directed a header narrowly wide, while Fraser just failed to make a good connection with a long ball into the Clach penalty area.
The Jags face a tough match at Seafield Park on Saturday, against high-flying Buckie. Graeme Stewart's side are fourth in the table, only three points behind table-toppers Brora.
