Highland keen to end away-day woe in Edinburgh
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HIGHLAND head coach Dave Carson is warning his squad that they must take four points back home from Edinburgh tomorrow to be considered serious contenders in National One.
Away form has been a weakness for the Canal Park outfit through much of 2022, despite continued progress for the club and team generally.
A superb second half fightback in the 24-21 defeat away to leaders Kelso last weekend should provide Highland with belief and inspiration for a result against Stewart’s Melville at Inverleith.
“We need to get four points on the road this weekend if we are to have a serious challenge for this league,” Carson said.
“We’ve played two of the biggest packs in Biggar and Kelso in the last couple of weeks and I think we’ve coped okay, but we’ve talked to the boys about away form.
“We’ve got to find the energy and drive from within, individually and a s a team, when we are without our own supporters behind us.
“It is easy with our friends, family and home support cheering us on, but you have to be really mentally tough to find it within yourself in the depths of the borders on a Saturday.
“Our players did exactly that in the second half against the leaders last weekend and, while we were disappointed with the result, the way they came back was first class and shows what a team spirit they’ve got.”
Stewart’s Melville won their opening league game against GHK, but have lost their matches since.
“As we’ve said time and again, if we don’t turn up they will beat us. If we can put in the level of performance we put in against Biggar and Kelso, I’d hope we would come away with four points,” Carson stressed.
“But it is down to on the day and how everyone reacts to another away game. Do we have the mental toughness to get ourselves over the line?”
Forward Grant Jamieson should return from injury.
