League leaders get the better of Turriff Thistle
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Turriff Thistle 0 - Kemnay Amateurs 3
Turriff Thistle suffered a disappointing league defeat to Division 1 East leaders Kemnay Amateurs at the Haughs on Saturday, however, the Jags played solidly throughout and matched their opponents for most of the 90 minutes despite suffering a horrendous start by losing a goal within the first minute.
Kemnay could not add to their opener as the Jags battled back and although the visitors were placed under sustained periods of pressure Thistle failed to record a single shot on target in the match.
It took Kemnay until the 69th minute to seal the victory with two goals in three minutes, however, the final score could have been much worse if it had not been for a quality display by Jag’s keeper Lewis Cheyne who pulled off several superb saves in both halves including a sensational double save in the first.
Thistle had Jordan Ogg, Ryan Catto, Lee Stuart and Stuart Elphinstone out through injury and Nathan Fraser unavailable so Lewis Cheyne started in goal and Club Captain, Mike McCombie returned, after a one game suspension, alongside Glen Morrison, Kian Beaton and Steven Wight in defence.
The midfield and attack remained the same with Joe Bisset, Callan Reid, Dylan Buxton, Regan Fowlie, Michael Harris and Bruce Mair.
A depleted subs bench was made up of Joe Stephen, Eythin Duncan, returning from injury, Mitchell Allan and trialist Callum Anderson.
The Jags were on the wrong end of a disastrous start straight from the kick-off when after only two passes the Kemnay striker powered through the centre and slammed the ball past Cheyne for the opening goal.
A rattled Thistle regrouped from the restart and began to hold their own but could have easily gone further behind in 8 minutes when Kemnay broke away down the right and moved the ball across the edge of the box, however, the final shot was brilliantly saved by Cheyne low in the corner at full stretch.
Not bad for his first touch of the ball.
The Jags had regained a bit of confidence and began to play some crisp passing football but couldn’t breach the solid Kemnay defence.
In 18 minutes Cheyne came to Thistle’s rescue again when a Kemnay cross from the right was met on the volley in the middle, at the edge of the 6 yard box, but Cheyne acrobatically palmed the ball away one-handedly then was on his feet immediately to complete a superb double save and solidly block the second shot.
The Jags continued to hold their own, however, Kemnay were having the majority of possession and in 21 minutes a low shot from outside the box flew past the Thistle post then in 23 minutes a shot from distance zipped over the bar.
Thistle were keeping their shape well and matching their opponents with some battling football but just could not get the break of the ball when, in 35 minutes, a Buxton through-ball set Fowlie in behind the Kemnay defence but play was frustratingly stopped for a very dubious offside decision.
A similar pass from Buxton in 40 minutes put Harris through on the keeper, however, play was again halted for offside although, this time, the striker was clearly onside.
The final action of the first half saw another clear-cut scoring chance from Kemnay being thwarted by Cheyne when a fierce shot from inside the Jags box was again saved at full stretch by the young keeper.
The overall first half performance gave Thistle renewed confidence and they started the second with added determination to get back into the game.
Although both teams were engaged in a solid box to box battle and playing some quality football neither keeper was seriously troubled for 20-25 minutes.
Kemnay extended their lead in 69 minutes when the break of the ball went their way after a goal-bound shot from deep inside the Jags box was cleared off the line by Morrison, however, the ball bounced off the post and fell perfectly for the striker to drive it into the net.
Although rattled by conceding this unlucky goal Thistle hit back in 71 minutes when a long kick out from Cheyne was headed on by Buxton to Harris but his 20-yard volley flew narrowly over the bar.
Kemnay added a killer goal in 72 minutes when they broke through the centre and finished the move with a delicate chip over the advancing Cheyne.
Stephen and Allan came on for Buxton and Morrison in 75 minutes then Duncan replaced Mair in 79 minutes before Harris had another shot blocked for a corner as Thistle refused to back down.
A final substitution saw Anderson come on for Wight as the Jags looked for a consolation goal but the last scoring chance fell to Kemnay, however, the point blank shot was superbly blocked by Cheyne a couple of minutes before the final whistle.
Thistle expected a severe test against the league leaders and got one, however, they will be disappointed dropping another three points at home and especially the way the first goal was conceded.
2023 has started with matches against top sides in the Division and the Jags should be pleased with the overall team performances in each of the games.
The league programme is close to reaching its halfway mark and it will only take three wins to get back into contention at the right end of the table.
