Threave Rovers caretaker praises side after SFA South Region Challenge Cup exit

Threave Rovers caretaker gaffer Paul McGinley hailed his side as their SFA South Region Challenge Cup adventure came to an end.

The Castle Douglas side were beaten 3-0 by Cumbernauld Colts in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

And McGinley felt his players gave a good account of themselves against a side that is chasing the Lowland League title.

He said: “To get to the last eight and to be giving the possible winners a game and causing them quite a lot of problems speaks volumes.

“To say they’re a top side would be doing them an injustice – they’re the best team I’ve seen this season by a long, long way. They’ve got boys from Rangers, Morton and St Mirren as well as some of the more experienced players.

“We didn’t create as many clear cut chances as them but, possession wise, we knew they would dictate it. Their quality was pure class – they were clinical and punished every mistake we made.

“We had set up in a similar way and we could quite easily have gone in 1-0 up. The shape of the team was good, the boys were excellent, it was maybe lack of experience at that level.

“Our lads will learn from it, especially the younger ones – we had four under-20s in the squad and had a 17-year-old on in the second half. It’s a great experience and great for their development.”

The visitors led at the break thanks to a goal from Reg McLaren who doubled Cumbernauld’s advantage as the hour mark approach, with Threave’s hopes finally killed off when Cole McIntyre scored a couple of minutes from time.

Threave go to Port Glasgow on Saturday as the focus now turns back to the West of Scotland League third division.

The Castle Douglas side is aiming to haul in the likes of pace setters Vale of Leven, who are 13 points ahead