Starring in Scottish Cup can offer ticket to advance – Clach boss Polworth
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CLACH boss Iain Polworth warns that Shelly Kerr’s Stirling University side will fancy their chances when they visit Grant Street in the William Hill Scottish Cup opener on Saturday.
However, he also believes if his players stand strong and get through then the door opens for stand-outs to advance their footballing career.
This will be the first time at this level that the former Caley Thistle player has pitted his wits against a female coach, but he says it’s what both sets of players deliver on the pitch that matters.
The women’s game in Scotland has just gained a major shot in the arm with the national ladies’ side just last week qualifying for next year’s European Championship finals in Holland.
The visitors to Grant Street on Saturday are managed by Kerr, the first woman to take charge of a men’s team in the UK.
Former Scotland captain Kerr was appointed more than two years ago and she played for Arsenal Ladies and coached the women’s side at Kilmarnock, Hibs and Spartans.
Their side had a good test just last month when they took on Rangers Colts, or under-20s, losing 4-0 in the IRN-BRU Cup first round.
The uni side sit just below mid-table in their division, but will have been lifted by their 3-0 weekend win away to Gretna 2008.
Looking ahead to the challenge, Polworth said: "They will come here full of confidence and will have had it drummed into them the costs involved of playing a tie in Inverness. They are scoring plenty of goals, but have been struggling to keep them out at the other end, so their 3-0 win at the weekend will have lifted their confidence."
He added: "You get female coaches at lower levels, so this will be a first for me, but I am not fazed by that because all that matters is that our players go out and get through.
"The Scottish Cup is an opportunity for players to not only try to take the team through to the next round, but also put themselves in the shop window."
Clach go into the tie on the back of a fine five-game unbeaten run. Last Wednesday, they drew 2-2 with Cove Rangers in a pulsating encounter under the floodlights and they looked like leaving Rothes with maximum points on Saturday.
The Speysiders, whose seven points this season have all come at home, got off to a dream start when Ruari Watt headed them in front within 30 seconds.
Clach, however, blasted back and Paul Smith’s leveller after 34 minutes should have been added to as they dominated the game.
Smith, who also scored against Cove, shot the Merkinchers ahead midway through the second half, but Rothes assistant player
boss Nathan Sharp pounced with five minutes to go to earn his team a point.
To add to Clach’s woes, defender Matthew Grant was sent off for a last-man challenge and will be out of the weekend’s tie.
Polworth hopes his side can find their killer touch to boost their chances of turning draws into wins.
He explained: "The game should have been put to bed and I can have no complaints about their goals.
"We have taken the unbeaten run to five and we should be on more points, but with several players out who would normally be starting, it’s given others the chance to come in and show there are no automatic starters."
Clach were without a number of players last weekend, but the lengthy list against Stirling Uni will include Duncan Jones (back), Blair Lawrie (hamstring), David McGurk (holiday) and Struan Scott-Woodhouse (work commitments), Scott MacLean (groin).
Goalkeeper John Campbell makes his return to the side following Aidan Macdonald deputising in his absence through injury.
*** Clach’s staff, players, committee and directors are holding a community gala fun day at Grant Street Park, Inverness, on Sunday from noon until 4pm – and there’s plenty going on for all ages.
There will be a primary two/three football competition, beat the goalie contest, target football, bubble football and stalls and local club displays.
Face painting artists will be on hand to add a dash of colour and a rodeo bull is sure to raise some smiles.
There will also be refreshments, snacks and ice cream on sale throughout the day.
