Management thoughts on the trip to Crichton

Posted on Sunday, March 7th, 2010

Mike says –

“Yesterday was a journey into the unknown and because of that I was slightly apprehensive as the referee blew his whistle to start the game. Don’t get me wrong I knew that if the players were in the right frame of mind and applied themselves our football would take care of matters but we didn’t know the opposition and Sam and I had altered the formation to fit the 11 we wanted to start. We also had Chris Flockhart unavailable so Craig McGarrie was starting his first game in the quarter final of our biggest domestic cup.

Ten minutes in and Craig had already been called into action 2 or 3 times as the home side pushed forward. When he bravely dived at the feet of an onrushing forward and received a cut to his eye which would see him heading straight to the A & E of the Hospital who’s grounds we were playing in and you could imagine my blood pressure rising. We carry 2 keepers this season but with Flocks in London and Craig heading for stitches we were left with Danny and Donal fighting over the goalie gloves.

As it turned out, Danny donned the gloves and the rest of the team didn’t bat an eyelid going about their business in a professional manner. Cloudie who’s on fire at the moment, opened the scoring and Gav put us 2 up before the referee finally called time on a 53 minute first half (Craig had company in A&E as the Crichton goalie pole-axed one of his defenders going for a corner resulting in a second lengthy stoppage).  

The half-time team talk was about not getting involved with the opposition and scoring the next goal to kill the game. To that end it was mission accomplished as our superior fitness showed in the later stages. Cloudie and Kingy came off as one is carrying an injury and the other is carrying a few disciplinary penalty points. Deano and Jorge went on and the Spaniard started with a delightful flick which sent Gav through to score and followed that with his first cup goals for the club.

A great performance, a great result and as I say above, mission very much accomplished. Crichton were game but they caught us on a good day. They are a friendly club who provided excellent hospitality and it was a great away day all round. Danny, Gav, Kevin (for his first goal) and Jorge take the plaudits on the park and a big thank you to our travelling support who made it more like a home game. With Annan, Threave and Dalbeattie no longer in our league the bonding trips down South are sorely missed.

It’s Lothian next this Wednesday and one or two changes on the park. I’ll talk more about that on Tuesday or Wednesday morning.”

Mike


Next Fixture

                     
Date: 09/11/24
Opponent: Forfar Athletic
Venue:Station Park
Competition: SPFL 2
Kick off: 3.00pm

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