Clachnacuddin young team out to reign in Tain for Football Times Cup
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CLACH’S under 20s will be given the freedom to go and express themselves in tomorrow’s Football Times Cup semi-final away to St Duthus.
The colts’ manager Paul Maclennan is delighted by how his squad have acclimatised to men’s football after a fiery baptism brought defeats to Inverness Athletic and Loch Ness.
Since then, the young Lilywhites have settled into their new surroundings with highly-impressive victories over Golspie in the cup and Halkirk in the league.
The winners of the semi-final in Tain will face either Invergordon or Loch Ness in the final.
Maclennan stressed: “In our first couple of games, there was a bit of acclimatisation to the league.
“It is a massive step up for them, coming from under-20s football and some from under 18s. We knew their capabilities, but men’s football is a whole different ball game for them.
“The recent wins, away to Golspie in the cup and then away to Halkirk, probably shocked a few people.
“For us, we’re happy flying under the radar.
“We said at the start of the season that we have no expectations of the boys. We want them to go out, play the type of football we’ve drilled into them at training and just compete. I haven’t wanted boys to think we’re asking too much of them. I believe that the less pressure that is on them, the more they enjoy their football and the better they play
“We do have a fun environment and the boys are all good pals off the pitch.
“They go and express themselves and anything can happen in the cup.
“We always said the cup would just be a bonus. St Duthus are a really good team, well-drilled, and they’re at home.”
Maclennan has been impressed by how quickly the young players have adapted to the demands.
He added: “They were hurting after Loch Ness defeat where it was just naivety that let us down. We had a chat, explaining how in this type of league you have to be smarter.
“They took it on board and beat Golspie and Halkirk. They’re enjoying their football and, more importantly, they’re confident with it.
