Clachnacuddin manager says performance against Huntly was unacceptable as they now prepare for North of Scotland Cup final
CLACHNACUDDIN manager Conor Gethins has warned his players that their performance in the 1-0 defeat to Huntly in the Highland League this afternoon was unacceptable as they prepare for the North of Scotland Cup final.
The Lilywhites were hoping for a morale boosting result ahead of the North of Scotland Cup final against Forres Mechanics on Saturday, October 18 as they look to win their first trophy in 11 years.
But a disappointing afternoon saw Angus Grant’s strike in the 38th minute prove to be enough to give Huntly victory and consign Clach to only their second league defeat this season.
Clach only really looked dangerous in the closing stages, with Andy Macrae going close in the dying minutes when he saw his shot clatter off the right post.
Gethins was unhappy with the overall showing from his team and says things have to improve ahead of next week’s cup final.
Speaking about preparing for the cup final, he said: “Actually that might be the best thing that could have happened to us, because that to me was not acceptable.
“It took us until the 80th minute to get some urgency. We have come a long way and you can see that with how happy and delighted Huntly were shouting in the changing room afterwards. They know they have had a big win today and that shows our boys where we have come from.
“That is the positive, but the negative is we didn’t work hard enough. We didn’t show urgency and showed no imagination, it was really poor.
“I have told them it is not acceptable, we have raised the standard to the level we are at just now. To lie down and get our bellies tickled in the first half wasn’t acceptable.”
Nairn County also had a disappointing afternoon as they went down to a 2-0 defeat against Keith which brought to an end their run of five straight wins.
Both goals came in the first half when Michael Ironside opened the scoring 10 minutes before the break before doubling their advantage two minutes before half time.
Brora Rangers are back top of the Highland League as they won 4-2 at Deveronvale as former leaders Fraserburgh dropped down to fourth and are one point behind the Cattachs as they lost 3-1 at Banks O’Dee.
Brora are on 30 points and ahead on goal difference from Formartine United who thrashed bottom of the table Rothes 5-1 at Mackessack Park.
Brechin City are one point behind the top two in third place and ahead of Fraserburgh on goal difference after a narrow 2-1 win over Inverurie Locos.
Buckie Thistle won 2-0 against Forres Mechanics at Victoria Park, Wick Academy beat Strathspey Thistle 2-1 and Turriff United shared the points with Lossiemouth in a 1-1 draw.