Goalkeeper pleased he pulled gloves back on and signed for Clachnacuddin
Joe Malin says he is delighted that Clachnacuddin convinced him to pull on the gloves again and is part of their resurgence this season.
After leaving Brora Rangers last season, the goalkeeper wasn’t sure if he would return to action until he got a call from the Lilywhites to join them at Grant Street Park.
Now he is playing a big part in their early success this season as they are in third place in the table and have reached a North of Scotland Cup semi final.
Malin says he is enjoying work under manager Conor Gethins and playing alongside his teammates at Merkinch as he looks to help continue the team’s success this season.
He said: “It is keeping me young, it is a very young squad and it has been a breath of fresh air.
“I had hung up the gloves in the summer, but I am glad to give it another go. It has been brilliant so far.
“We want to get to the cup final and try and win it, that has to be the minimum expectation for this club going forward. It is the start of the journey and improving constantly.
“Last season wasn’t good enough, we need to try and work hard every game, the players and fans need to stick together and I think we can have a good season and do well.”
Malin is one of a number of experienced players who has joined Clachnacuddin this season to add to their young squad.
He says the older and younger players mixing together is having a good impact on the team.
“I hope so, that is why the likes of myself, Gavin Morrison and Josh Meekings signed, that is all we wanted to do. We want to help the young lads here and teach them a few things. Hopefully people can see we are making a difference. We are working well with the signings who were already here, everyone has just upped it a gear.”
Malin was the penalty shoot-out hero on Wednesday night as they defeated Nairn County in a shoot-out 4-3 after they were level 2-2 after extra time.
As they prepare to host Buckie Thistle on Saturday at Grant Street Park, Malin said Wednesday night showed the character of the team that they can come from behind and still win.
He said: “That is the most pleasing thing.
“When went behind, heads dropped a wee bit, it is up to the experienced boys to get the heads up and keep things going.
The most important thing we give as a minimum to the fans is 100 per cent.
We work hard and came off absolutely bursting that we did that.”