Champions Brora Rangers cruised to a comfortable win in a game they controlled throughout.
The Cattachs began life without Ross Tokely, with the veteran defender having left the country following Saturday’s 8-0 thrashing of Huntly to work in Angola.
The visitors began on the front foot, with midfielder Gavin Morrison close to scoring from long-range on three occasions in the early stages.
Strathspey had a glimpse of goal on 11 minutes, however Josh Peters dragged his effort well wide of target.
It took a great save by Thistle goalkeeper Stevie Dunn to keep the game goalless two minutes later as he saved from Zander Sutherland’s 20 yard turn and shot. Moments later, Steven Mackay nodded just wide as a Brora breakthrough looked likelier.
It arrived on 22 minutes, when Mackay was picked out in plenty of space 16 yards out and he directed a powerful shot into the far corner.
Dunn had to be at full stretch to tip wide from Sutherland just moments later, before Strathspey’s Mark MacKernie blazed over from a free kick.
Brora hit their hosts with a double blow on the half hour mark. Scott Graham made it 2-0 when he turned the ball home following Mackay’s headed knock-down. Just seconds later, Mackay latched on to a neat Sutherland pass to score past the advancing Dunn at his near post.
Davie Kirkwood’s men added a fourth goal on 41 minutes, with Dale Gillespie heading home from a corner.
Brora added a fifth when Gillespie was afforded the time to place the ball into the corner of the net from just inside the box for his second.
The outstanding Dunn made further impressive saves to deny Morrison and Sutherland, however he could not prevent Colin Williamson sliding in to make it 6-0.
Substitute Colin Maclean netted a seventh from close range on 79 minutes.