Luck has to change in Clach’s favour - Polworth
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IAIN Polworth is confident that his Clach players can get their Highland League season off the mark on Saturday after suffering a controversial late defeat last weekend at Pitmedden.
The Lilywhites were superb against Formartine on Saturday and were on course for a share of the spoils.
A superb cool finish from Blair Lawrie had shot the Merkinchers in front after 19 minutes when he guided the ball over goalkeeper Andy Reid and into the net.
Formartine drew level, however, four minutes later from a goal which drew puzzled looks all round.
Former Ross County star Paul Lawson’s corner was met by an overhead kick from ex-Nairn County forward Conor Gethins and after striking the hand of Struan Scott-Woodhouse came down on the line, but the goal was awarded.
Mark Kennedy hit the woodwork and Fraser Robertson and Stuart Leslie went close as Clach went for the jugular, while Formartine’s Gethins and Scott Barbour sought a winner for the hosts.
With the game heading for what would have been a fair share of the spoils, referee Dan McFarlane pointed to the penalty spot in stoppage time after Ryan MacKintosh was adjudged to have illegally brought down Barbour. Lawson made no mistake from the spot and Clach headed back to the Highland capital feeling raw.
Understandably perhaps, boss Polworth didn’t want to say too much about the goal and penalty awarded to their hosts, but he hopes that after three straight defeats, they can get the rub of the green starting at home to Wick Academy on Saturday.
He said: "You can’t legislate for the decisions made that cost us on Saturday, but we just have to take it on the chin. I think the Formartine fans and players didn’t even see what led to these decision, but it’s done now and we have to get on with it.
"Our first game of the season, (4-0 defeat) against Buckie was not good enough and I asked for an improvement. We got that in the next game (in the 2-1 loss against Keith).
"On Saturday, again I could not fault the players’ performance and effort. You hope that luck will go our way sometime soon because we are now three games in and without a point, which is really disappointing, especially with the way we have played in the past two games."
Wick had been impressive by winning their first two games of the season, but were surprisingly beaten 2-1 at home to Lossiemouth, who joined Buckie at the top of the table last weekend.
Polworth added: "Matches against Wick are usually good contests, although Wick are tough nuts to crack."
Clach welcome back Duncan Jones to the fold this weekend.
