Strathspey Thistle disappoint in five-goal loss to Inverurie Locos
It was a frustrating 90 minutes to say the least for the Jags when they travelled to Inverurie’s Harlaw Park.
Much was expected following excellent performances against both Formartine United and Banks O’Dee in their bid to avoid finishing bottom of the Breedon Highland League.
However, the Seafield Park side was put to the sword by a fast moving, no-nonsense Inverrurie Loco side who controlled the match for long spells.
They had raced into a 4-0 interval lead with goals from Josh Bolton (2), Lloyd Robertson and the impressive Cole Anderson.
Thistle manager Ryan Esson made five changes from the side that had gone down 3-0 to Clach at home in midweek.
Alistair Nixon, Dean Stewart, Daniel Whitehorn, Lewis Mackie and James Fraser all came back into the starting line-up.
The home side opened brightly and were ahead in just the third minute.
Lloyd Robertson weaved his way along the byeline, before cutting the ball back for Josh Bolton to knock home the opener from three yards.
The visitors were now under the cosh and came close to losing a second after 10 minutes.
The defence failed to deal with a cross into the box allowing Cole Anderson to swivel before crashing a right foot effort of the base of the post.
Three minutes later, the home side thought they had doubled their lead when Mark Souter headed home following a corner, however, referee Mackinnon indicated an earlier infringement.
The hosts continued to push forward and they went close yet again when four minutes later only a saving challenge from keeper Euan Storrier denied Jay Halliday.
The same player went close again a couple of minutes later with a rasping 20 yard effort but Storrier held comfortably.
The Grantown side did concede a second effort after 24 minutes.
Neat build up on the edge of the box sliced open the Jags defence for Lloyd Robertson to run on unchallenged and beat the keeper with a crisp finish.
Strathspey countered, and in the 32nd minute they went close to reducing the deficit.
A 20 yard effort from striker Lewis Mackie saw keeper Zack Ellis at full stretch to push the youngster’s drive round the post.
The home side then squandered a golden opportunity to increase their advantage with nine minutes of the first half remaining.
Cole Anderson with both time and space fired over the bar from eight yards – with Storrier grounded and the goal gaping.
But three minutes later the overworked Jags rearguard lost a third.
Fine build up play resulted in Daniel Agnew racing onto a pass from Halliday to crash home the third from 15 yards.
The home side added a fourth, when after more fine build up, man of the match Josh Bolton swept home his second of the game after the Jags’ defence failed to clear their lines.
Locos continued to push forward at every opportunity after the break.
Storrier was called into action again after 64 minutes, when he pushed away a Cole Anderson effort at full stretch.
Four minutes later, only the woodwork denied Bolton his hat-trick, after his effort on the six yard line cannoned back of the base of the post to safety.
With 15 minutes remaining the scoring was completed when the impressive Anderson raced onto a loose ball in midfield, before weaving his way past four defenders on the edge of the box to beat Storrier with a clinical finish.
Overall, it was a thoroughly disappointing performance from the Jags after recent much better performances.
They are at home to Huntly tomorrow night and then have a huge six pointer again at Seafield Park against bottom side Rothes.
Strathspey Thistle: Storrier, Nixon (Shewan 46) Z.MacPhee, Stewart, Calder, Lisle, Whitehorn, Mackie (Duffty 59) Mutch (C.MacPhee 59) Fraser (Docherty 64) Morrison
Subs: Laidlaw, McShane, Race, Doran, Rae (Gk)
Match referee: Robert Mackinnon.
Inverurie Locos were too strong for Strathspey Thistle at the Harlaw Park, running in five goals without reply.
Josh Bolton got two in the first half with Lloyd Robertson and Daniel Agnew also on target as Locos built up a 4-0 half time lead, and Cole Anderson added one more on 76 minutes.
