Flying start for Forres Thistle to overcome two-goal deficit and defeat Deveronside in north junior football opener
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FORRES Thistle produced a stunning comeback to defeat Deveronside in their first match of the season.
In a repeat of last year’s Inter Regional Cup clash with the Banff outfit, Jags trailed 2-0 at the break but hit back to win last Saturday.
The last meeting was a 4-2 victory for Thistle and on Saturday they won 3-2, thanks to a powerful display in the final half hour.
Tony Ross’ Jags made the worst possible start, conceding after a minute when Innes McKay nodded home from a corner.
Deveronside’s second goal came on the break from a Forres corner, with Ryan Matheson setting up Jordan Russell to net from the edge of the box.
Jags brought on new signing Owen Paterson at the break and Mattie Davidson was introduced to the action on the hour, with both subs quickly making an impact.
Davidson was on the park for two minutes when he scored a penalty following handball in the box.
A string of yellow cards shown to Deveronside players took its toll when Gregor Whyte was booked again and dismissed on 69 minutes.
Forres kept pressing for the equaliser and were rewarded on 78 minutes when Brandon Hutcheson crossed for Davidson to head home his second.
Three minutes later Paterson, who had looked lively since his half time entrance, fired in a shot which was parried by keeper Ethan Murray and Neil Moir was first to react to the loose ball and score the winner.
Thistle are away to New Elgin in their next group match on Saturday..
