St Cuthbert Wanderers reckons 9-1 scoreline was harsh on players

St Cuthbert Wanderers gaffer Ian Clark reckons Saturday’s 9-1 scoreline was harsh on his players.

The Kirkcudbright side, who are currently bottom of the South of Scotland League, faced Caledonian Braves in the SFA South Region Challenge Cup.

And while the Lowland League side ran out comfortable winners, Clark doesn’t believe the scoreline tells the full story.

He said: “I don’t think it was a 9-1 game. When you look at the goals we conceded there were two penalties and two mistakes.

“The first half was 2-1 until a minute before half-time, we were competing really well.

“The goal for 2-0 I don’t think was a penalty.

“The second half is a slight disappointment – maybe the fitness levels are slightly different from the Lowland but I expected more and conceding six is disappointing.

“There were some silly mistakes that cost us. One looked to be an easy save and wasn’t made. Our goalkeeper has been brilliant all season and these are wee things that happen when you have lapses in concentration.

“Another goal is a penalty where the keeper takes a heavy touch and their man gets in. These are things that can be fixed.

“The second half fitness plays a part and then it comes back to depth in quality.

“Taking the positives away from it, people will see 9-1 and think it’s another big defeat but it’s never 9-1 although the history books will show that.”

Clark added: “One thing I said after the game was if anyone has aspirations to get to the Lowland League, they need to take a good look at themselves in terms of what they do away from our training regime because some of those guys are training five or six times a week.”

Ross McNeil fired Braves into an early lead and he doubled their lead midway through the