Cheap goals blow for Clach

Clach

CLACH boss Iain Polworth is urging his team to stop gifting rivals goals and points in this season's Highland League.

While the Grant Street manager was thrilled at the way they performed to draw 2-2 with Keith last weekend, his was disappointed to see the Maroons find the net too easily.

He said: "It was an entertaining game, but did well to compete very well against a side who have been flying high this season. However, we conceded two cheap goals - once again - and that's something we have to improve upon."

Sam Urquhart grabbed both goals for Clach and Polworth added: "Sam has been out of the side because Stuart Leslie had been keeping him out, but we changed it around and moved Stuart into the middle and Sam came in and took his chance."

Gordon Williamson, Steven Macdonald and Michael Finnis are all doubts for Clach as they get set for a league tussle at Nairn County.

Polworth reckons that a derby can bring out the best in players ahead of the Station Park clash.

He said: "Nairn have done very well this year and are at the right end of the table. These games always have a bit of bite, an edge, to them and the players always look forward to the derbies.

"Many of these lads will have come through youth teams at the same time, at Caley Thistle and Ross County, and they're determined to get one over their mates in the opposite sides. The game finished 0-0 between us earlier in the season and we'll go there looking for a result."

Clach have loaned out Kyle Maclean to Highland League side Fort William and Blair Lawrie to Irn Bru Division Three side Elgin City - both in one-month deals.

Nairn County manager Les Fridge, meanwhile, has a few injury concerns ahead of the weekend, with Andrea Colletto, Ally Ridgers and David Hind all struggling and Scott Barlow could miss out through work commitments.

He said: "It's one we're looking forward to. We drew 0-0 against Clach earlier this season when we played about 80 minutes with 10 men. We are two sides that tend to score a lot of goals, so I am sure this will be different. The local derbies are excellent for the players and it will be great for us to play at home."

Fridge was disappointed that his side slipped to a 3-1 defeat at champions Buckie last weekend, despite a fine goal from Steven Mackay, which brought them back into it as 2-1.

He said: "We put a lot into the game, but we lost a bad goal, especially the first one and then another from a set-piece. Steven Mackay scored probably the best goal of the game, but the third goal should have been offside, but sometimes you don't get these kind of decisions.

"When you play Buckie away, you need everyone to be firing on all cylinders and that was not the case. We didn't keep it tight when we needed to, although we did create a number of chances. Their third was the one that killed it off."