Polworth warns Lilies to cut out deliveries
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CLACH boss Iain Polworth has warned his players to sharpen up their act from set-pieces – or risk being haunted by a former Lilywhites man.
The Merkinchers were stunned by a last-gasp winner in a 3-2 Highland League defeat away to Buckie Thistle on Saturday after coming from two goals down and nearly salvaging a point.
All the Jags’ goals came from set-pieces, much to Polworth’s frustration, and he believes ex-Clach player Bruce Milne could pose a danger from dead-ball situations when Keith come calling at Grant Street Park this weekend.
Milne pounced to net from a well worked free-kick routine in the same fixture last season, which Clach won 4-2.
Polworth said: "Keith have improved since we played them last season.
"I think they’ll be looking to put one over on us. They’ve got one of our former players who is very good from set pieces, Bruce Milne. So we must be more diligent."
The Lilies will be hoping for a brighter start against the Maroons than they had at Victoria Park – they were behind after 12 minutes when Iain MacRae headed home a Chris Hegarty corner.
Player-assistant manager Lewis MacKinnon bagged a second for the hosts in the 64th minute when he made the most of another wicked delivery from Hegarty, powering home a header.
Gordon Morrison came off the bench to fire home a spot-kick to give Clach hope and Martin Callum added to his hat-trick against Rothes last week to draw the visitors level, taking his tally for the season to six.
But MacRae broke the Lilies’ hearts in stoppage time when he nodded past Errol Watson to snatch the three points for the Jags.
Polworth thought his side played well, but felt they should have shown more muscle to deal with aerial balls.
He said: "We deserved better but we can’t defend the way we’ve been defending.
"They scored form three set-pieces and it was three free headers.
"It’s just from not picking up, it’s not good enough. It’s individual errors – we’ve just got to learn from it, we’ve got to be stronger."
To add to their woes, striker Ian Penwright will miss out against Keith after a hefty challenge left him requiring seven stitches in two gashes on his leg.
Polworth added: "In my opinion it was late and high, but we have to get on with it.
"It’s a shame for Ian. He’ll be out for a while now but he’ll come back from it."
Defender David McGurk will also be unavailable after picking up a knock in the Buckie Thistle game.
