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Locos made it three wins in eight days with an impressive display at Strathspey Thistle. First half goals from Cole Donaldson and Daniel Agnew put The Railwaymen firmly in control before a Robbie Thompson penalty brought the hosts back into it. Cole Anderson’s stunning free kick put the game to bed as Locos scored three goals for the third successive match.
Dean Donaldson reverted to the same starting eleven that had beaten Nairn County at Harlaw Park and they started the game on the front foot. Ethan Cairns raced through on goal early on but Dawid Sienowski was quickly off his line to deal with th danger. He could do nothing to prevent the opener in the tenth minute though. Lloyd Robertson got his head to a corner from the right and Donaldson was on hand to poke home.
Locos were dominating with Cairns, Agnew and Donaldson causing the home defence all sorts of problems. Donaldson went close to doubling his tally when he curled a free kick narrowly over the crossbar. The second goal did come just after the half-hour. Oliver Green surged into the area before cutting back for Agnew who took a touch before his fierce shot crashed in off the bar. It was an almost identical goal to the one he scored on the same ground last season, which was ultimately deemed to be an own goal off the goalkeeper. He’ll be hoping this one doesn’t suffer the same fate.
Locos were full of confidence and could have added to the scoreline before the break if not for Sienowski in the Strathspey goal. He produced a superb reaction save to tip Anderson’s shot over the bar, before making a more routine stop to deny Cairns. It’s often said that 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline and Thistle came out full of purpose in the second half. Locos were restricted to brief counter attacks as the hosts forced them back. Zack Ellis was largely in control of his area though, and it took a soft looking penalty award to make life a little edgy for the travelling support. Milosz Ochmanski was adjudged to have pushed Kyle Macleod and Thompson made no mistake from the spot.
With twenty minutes remaining, The Jags sensed an opportunity but Locos stood firm. Cairns rattled the post with a left-footed drive, but the points were sealed when Nathan Meres was brought down 20 yards from goal. Anderson curled the set pieace around the wall and beyond the goal keeper. The spring returned to Locos’ step and they pressed for a fourth but wre happy with their afternoon’s work when the whistle went.
Taken across the piece, this was an excellent performance and, although Strathspey enjoyed a good spell during which they scored, Locos were good value for the 3 points. They will be looking to continue their good form when Fraserburgh visit Harlaw Park in midweek.
