Huntly 1 Strathspey Thistle 1: Day one draw for new-look Black and Golds
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HUNTLY manager Allan Hale said his side’s performance in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Strathspey Thistle at Christie Park was “encouraging”.
The new-look Black and Golds handed debuts – or ‘second debuts’ – to five players in the opening day draw, and Hale said it was just the final product that was missing.
“I thought we played very well,” he said. “It was an encouraging performance from the players.
“My only criticism was that we didn’t convert the numerous chances we created.
“But, against a good Strathspey side, we created plenty and are frustrated we didn’t get the three points.”
Angus Grant, Cameron Heslop, Greg Buchan and Kyle Dalling all made their first start for Hale’s Huntly, while Caiden Imbert-Thomas came off the bench for his debut.
But it was the visitors who took the lead after a quarter of an hour as Kieran Chalmers fired a 20-yard shot into the bottom corner.
Huntly levelled just minutes into the second period and it was Greg Buchan who grabbed his first goal on his first start – firing in from a tight angle.
Despite plenty of second half pressure, Huntly couldn’t break down their opposition again to secure the win.
Hale added: “Given we had five debutants, I thought all the players acquitted themselves well.
“Every player did themselves justice and justified their selection in the side.
“The only disappointment is that we didn’t come away with the points.”
Another opportunity for three points is on the horizon, however, with Huntly making the trip to Inverness to take on Clachnacuddin on Saturday.
Hale added: “We see every game as an opportunity to get three points –that’s the mindset we are trying to set.
“We are trying to be positive, brave and impose our style and Saturday will be no different.
“It will be a tough game because Clach are a good side. They’re a young team who work hard and play football the right way.
“They will have aspirations of finishing as high as possible. We have to impose ourselves and if we do that hopefully we will put in a positive performance.”
