Second half set-back for Thistle
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Turriff Thistle 2 - JS XI 3
Turriff Thistle suffered a disappointing second home defeat of the season against JS XI although they contributed to their downfall when they lost possession twice which afforded the visitors two breakaways in the second half.
Even the JS XI equaliser in the first half, after Joe Bisset had given the Jags the lead, was gifted to them by an absolutely, unbelievable refereeing decision, however, the entire team performance was flat and lacked enthusiasm.
A late strike by Dan Bruce gave the final score a better look but Thistle will definitely see this as three points dropped.
The Jags made one change to the starting line-up, from the midweek victory against Lads Club, with Joe Bisset replacing the unavailable Ryan Morrison.
JS XI created the first scoring chance in 4 minutes from a free kick on the right and, although the Thistle defence allowed a free header, play was halted for an offside decision.
The match then became a cagey affair for the next 20 minutes with play bogged down in midfield except for a couple of Thistle long balls forward which were chased by Bruce then Bisset but the JS XI keeper was out sharpish on both occasions to collect the ball.
The Jags made the break-through on 27 minutes with some clever play from Paul Williamson on the left who shook off his markers then drove a low cross into the middle for BISSET to slot the ball into the corner of the net from six yards.
Thistle maintained the pressure and in 35 minutes Bruce had a 20 yard effort well saved then in 40 minutes Greg Miazek slipped Bruce through on the right but he was pulled up for offside.
JS XI equalised shortly before half-time when the referee allowed them the advantage after a late tackle on the edge of the Thistle box then, when the player had made space on the left and had his shot blocked, made the ludicrous decision to stop play and award the original free kick.
Despite the Jags’ protests the decision stood and the resultant free-kick was blasted low into Jordan Ogg’s left hand corner.
The second half began with Thistle pushing forward, however, they were caught with a sucker-punch in 49 minutes when they lost possession deep in the JS XI half and allowed the visitors to break away in numbers and lob the ball over the advancing Ogg and into the empty net.
The Jags continued to probe at the JS XI defence and in 50 minutes a Steven Wight cross from the left found Bruce deep in the box but his header flew past the wrong side of the post, then in 54 minutes Wight himself saw a free kick effort fly over the bar.
Sucker-punch number two came in 62 minutes when Thistle failed to control a long JS XI clearance and another breakaway left Ogg with no chance as the visitors doubled their lead.
The Jags refused to lie down and in 64 minutes a Williamson corner to the near post was volleyed past the post by Neil Chapman then, in 67 minutes, a massive kick-out by Ogg was collected by Bruce after it soared over the JS XI defence but his fierce shot was well saved.
A minute later Kyle Chalmers came on for an injured Wight and Lewis Loi replaced Bruce Mair wide on the left.
In 70 minutes Williamson saw another free kick attempt whistle past the post as the Jags were desperate to reduce the two goal deficit, however, they suffered another set-back in 75 minutes when a late tackle by Kian Beaton, on the edge of the box, resulted in him receiving a second yellow card then the obligatory red and Thistle were reduced to 10 men for the second weekend in a row.
The final 10 minutes saw Lee Stuart come on for the exhausted Williamson and trialist, Joe Watson, make his debut in place of Bisset.
The Jags ensured a battling finish to the match by nabbing a second goal in 84 minutes when a beautiful, long, curling through-ball by Mitchell Allan set BRUCE free behind the JS XI defence and gave the advancing keeper no chance as he drove the ball into the corner of the net.
Thistle created a couple of chances in the final minutes as they went in search of an equaliser but JS XI were well organised and time managed the remainder of the match to lift all three points.
This was a sluggish, below par performance by Thistle, however, as the midweek fixtures are now completed, they have a full week to re-group and look at reducing the basic unforced errors which have resulted in several goals being conceded already this season.
