Clachnacuddin fuming at disappointing Highland League Cup exit to Forres Mechanics
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MANAGER Jordan MacDonald was left frustrated by the mistakes his side made defensively as they exited the Highland League Cup against Forres Mechanics in a 2–1 defeat.
Paul Brindle and Dale Wood put Forres two goals ahead in the first half, and though Connor Bunce did pull one back before the interval the damage had been done to the Lilywhites.
There was not much for MacDonald to be happy about at either end after the game, and he was clear in his message to Clach’s squad that it was an opportunity missed.
“We don’t want to work hard,” MacDonald insisted.
“You know at Forres you’re going to have to defend against Lee Fraser, he occupies you.
“It was basic goals we gave away, and it’s killing our season. Today was another prime example. Fair play to Forres, good luck to them in the next round, but it’s a sore one for us to take.
“We could be here all night after that, it’s not good enough. We might have had all of the ball in the second half, but we did nothing with it. We normally create chances, but we didn’t.
“We got what we deserved. These chances don’t come along often, and it’s a massive opportunity we’ve let slip.
“Maybe Forres wanted it more the way it looked in that first half hour.
“It’s gone now, and we’ve got plenty more games to play before the end of the season, but it’s a massive opportunity missed for us and I hope the players are hurting, because we are.”
Although the chance to lift silverware this season has slipped out of Clachnacuddin’s grasp, they can now turn their focus back to finishing the league campaign as strongly as possible.
It does not get any easier for the Lilywhites this weekend though, as they go up against the defending Highland League champions Brora Rangers.
The Cattachs are still in title contention this season, but are realistically relying on other results going their way before the end of the campaign, so will be desperate for every point they can get, but Clach will be demanding improvements.
“Brora are the best footballing team we’ve played this season,” MacDonald said of tomorrow’s opponents.
“They’re so difficult to play against, we’ve just got to go up there and do what we can, and see where it takes us.”
