Jordan MacDonald mystified by Clachnacuddin's poor run of form at Grant Street Park home after Scottish Cup exit
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Jordan MacDonald admits he was left baffled by Clach’s poor home form after Saturday’s crushing Scottish Cup disappointment against Dunipace.
The East of Scotland First Division Conference side snatched a 2-1 victory at Grant Street after a flat and uninspiring display from the hosts. As a team-two senior league tiers above Dunipace, Clach were clear favourites, but were hit by goals from Ryan Fleming and David Grant before James Anderson’s consolation.
The Lilywhites, beaten by Deveronvale at home the previous weekend, have now lost three of their five fixtures in Merkinch this season despite strong away form – two wins and two draws from their five league outings on the road so far.
“I don’t know what it is about playing at home,” MacDonald said.
“Even in the Turriff United game where we won 3-2 at Grant Street, we weren’t great. Our performances away from home seem to be so much better. I can’t put a finger on why. Given the way we want to play, our park is immaculate. It is strange.
“Since the Keith game, where we were absolutely outstanding, we’ve dropped our standards massively and, to be fair, the players know that.
“We just need to lift them in training through the week and get going again. This week is all about Rothes and our game plan for that.”
There was no lack of preparation from the management team for the Scottish Cup tie, with full reports – and full warnings to the players – on how the Stirlingshire visitors would play.
“It was a very poor performance,” MacDonald added.
“The players were warned beforehand how Dunipace were going to play and that’s exactly how they did play.
“We let them do it. They get the ball and go from back to front, that’s all they do. They have a number 10 who uses his body really well. We just had to cut that supply off, but we didn’t – and got punished.
“It was a team we should be beating and beating
comfortably. We’ve beaten better teams than them this season already and we didn’t get it right on Saturday. We looked nervous and we didn’t pass the ball well or move it quickly enough. We won’t use any excuses. All over the park, we just simply weren’t good enough, but we go again. The players have been excellent this season and we need to lift them because it was a sore one.”
Eachainn Miller is a doubt for Saturday after taking a hefty knock.
