Woodwork denies Jags progress in the North of Scotland Cup
On a night in which the high wind throughout played a major part in proceedings Strathspey Thistle can count most themselves unlucky to be dumped out of the North of Scotland Cup at the first hurdle.
It follows another positive performance, this time against Clachnacuddin at Grant Street Park in Inverness last night.
The Jags lined up with four changes from the team that had gone down narrowly to Deveronvale at the weekend.
Scott Docherty, Dylan Lawrence, Cameron Lisle and Tyler Eadie came in for injured pair Jamie Calder and striker Lewis Mackie, while James Fraser and Caelan Mutch took their place on the bench.
If the truth be known, it should have been the visitors who went in at the interval with a hefty advantage – instead it was the home side who turned round at the interval holding a 3-1 lead with goals from Connor Bunce, Alan MacPhee and James Anderson after the visitors had grabbed the lead through Dylan Lawrence.
The Grantown side had laid siege on the Merkinch side’s goal particularly during the first period and only a combination of bad luck, the crossbar and excellent reflex saves by home keeper Joe Malin denied the visitors.
The visitors opened on the attack, and almost broke the deadlock inside three minutes.
Josh Race curled a cross from the right side of the box, with Dylan Lawrence header forcing Joe Malin to push the effort onto the face of the crossbar and to safety.
Next it was the turn of midfield man Scott Docherty to threaten when his powerful run saw him waltz past three defenders on the edge of the box, with only a fine save from former Brora keeper Joe Malin keeping the scoreline level after 15 minutes.
The visitors luck was out again from the resultant corner, when a header from Conor Macphee rebounded from the crossbar, with only a remarkable reflex save from the keeper on his line denied the visitors as the Strathy Jags searched for the vital breakthrough.
However, against the run of play, the home side broke the deadlock midway through the half.
Alan MacPhee did the spadework and when his free kick on the right flank found Connor Bunce to knock home the opener.
The Jags came storming back and deservedly equalised after 29 minutes, when Cameron Lisle flighted over an inch perfect cross that was met by the head of Dylan Lawrence who headed powerfully beyond the reach of Malin for the leveller.
But it was the home side who came storming back with a quick fire double to go in at the break with a 3-1 lead.
They grabbed the lead again within three minutes. Mackay was on hand to knock home after the visitors defence failed to deal with a ball into the box.
It was 3-1, with 10 minutes of the half remaining when Troy Cooper tested Euan Storrier with a 20 yard effort that the keeper failed to gather and James Anderson knocked home the rebound.
The visitors continued to push forward at every opportunity and deservedly reduced the leeway after 58 minutes.
Substitute Aaron Nicolson ran onto a loose ball to beat the advancing Malin.
Kieran Duffty went close to grabbing the equaliser on 65 minutes with an effort that drifted wide of the upright with the home defence looking on anxiously.
The same player went even closer after 78 minutes, with a superb effort that came crashing of the crossbar.
This was another excellent performance from new boss Ryan Esson’s men.
They continue to grow in confidence, playing a nice attacking brand of football.
Playing as they are, sure it will not be long before they get that elusive victory.
Next up for the Jags is a tough game when Formartine United are the visitors to Seafield Park on Saturday.
Euan Storrier: Alistair Nixon, Cameron Lisle, James McShane, Conor MacPhee, Scott Docherty (Caelan Mutch 46) Juan Cuellar (James Fraser 46) Tyler Eadie, Kieran Duffty, Dylan Lawrence (Doeimassei Doguie 75) Josh Race (Aaron Nicolson 46).
Subs not used: Kit Fletcher (gk)
