Management thoughts on a difficult day.

Posted on Sunday, November 29th, 2009

Mike says –

“Yesterday wasn’t a good day. The bad news from Afghanistan saw to that and to be honest the football became insignificant. That famous “life and death” quote by Bill Shankly all those years ago couldn’t be further from the truth.

When Craig phoned me just as I was leaving home to head down to the Academy the news we had all dreaded hearing left me numb. “Do I tell the players before the game?” was my initial thought but that was quickly dismissed. Who was I to withhold the disturbing story about one of their own. The home dressing room adopted David the moment he arrived and the players and club took collective care of him when he was with us. Sadly we can’t do that at present.

We thought at first it had been an ambush but it appears to have been a road side bomb with David and two other soldiers seriously wounded. As soon as we hear anymore information Craig will post it on the site but for the moment our thoughts go to David, all his fellow soldiers out there and their families back home. 

David was one of a couple of dozen squaddies, mostly from south of the border who were stationed in Edinburgh and wanted a team to support. We were lucky they chose us and there has been a close relationship between both parties. David will hopefully soon be heading home as “food parcels” from Spartans to the boys are heading the other way.

Forfar deserved to win. There were a good few chances in the game for both teams but not many hit the target. Forfar probably should have got a second as we over committed trying to get the equaliser but other than Chris Templeman’s goal nothing crossed the goal line.

We were second best for the first 15 minutes but came into the game strongly. As the first half progressed the large crowd got behind the team and had Deano’s right foot shot from 25 yards been a foot lower I’m sure the roof would have been blown off our new stand. That spell of dominance didn’t result in shots on target and that ultimately cost us the game. You have to score when you are on top.

At half-time I told the players that the first goal would be vital and that a mistake or a piece of magic would win the game. Chris Templeman’s quick feet in the box were the difference on the day. We pushed hard for an equaliser but it wasn’t to be. Donal side footed into the side netting as we forced Forfar on the back foot with a series of corners. There was nearly an own goal as a Forfar defender headed past his advancing goalkeeper and on another day Cloudies shot would have been deflected the right side of the post by their keeper.

Many referees would have given three spot kicks (two to us and one to Forfar) but Mr McKendrick wasn’t a generous whistler.

Forfar squeezed into the 4th round but our players can hold their heads high. This group of players went into the game on the back of 10 straight wins and I doubt that has been repeated anywhere in British senior football so far this season. We still have all to play for and there is a lot the current squad can achieve this season. 

The Scottish Cup is history for another year but we live to fight another day. Yesterday is best forgotten.”

Mike


Next Fixture

                     
Date: 16/11/24
Opponent: Stirling Albion
Venue:Ainslie Park
Competition: SPFL 2
Kick off: 3.00pm

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