Deveronvale 0 Brora Rangers 3: Positives for hosts despite defeat
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DEVERONVALE manager Craig Stewart hopes his side can take the positives from defeat against Brora Rangers forward to this weekend’s clash with Nairn County.
’Vale went down 3-0 against defending champions Brora at Princess Royal Park on Saturday – but there was plenty for boss Stewart to be pleased about, not least because he was without four players who were self-isolating.
Stewart said: “We were missing four, which was a bit of a blow before the game, but we went in with a plan, which was to stay tight and frustrate Brora.
“I think it worked. We could nitpick about the first goal, we gave a wee bit too much space on the edge of our own box, but Andy Macrae has hit a screamer that no goalie in the world is saving.
“It would have been easy to crumble, but we stuck to the plan and frustrated them until the 80th minute.
“It was disappointing not to have a chance to go at them in the last 10 minutes, but Brora are a very good side. There were lots of positives for us, lots more than there were negatives.
“We have to take those positives into the Nairn game.
“Nairn are a good team, good to watch and exciting going forward, so we will need to be at our best – but we are going there to win it.”
After Andy Macrae’s first-half opener, from fully 25 yards, ’Vale kept Brora – expected to be going for the title again this season – at arm’s length until Tom Kelly made it 2-0 at the back post after a Martin Maclean cross on 78 minutes.
It was 3-0 to the visitors late on, when Ali Sutherland, recently signed from Rothes, tapped in from five yards after a cutback from Colin Williamson.
Stewart added: “Brora will be up there in terms of the title fight.
“I’m not sure if they will be favourites, teams round about that have recruited well and it will be really competitive at the top of the league, but they’re a good team and will be there or thereabouts.”
Ahead of the Nairn match, ’Vale confirmed the signing of another youngster.
Nineteen-year-old defender Stuart Gilmour, who was with the club throughout pre-season, has put pen to paper on a two-year contract.
He will immediately head out on loan to junior side Maud.
Stewart added: “Stuart is a young lad that has a chance if he gets his head down and works hard – but he needs to get used to adult football.
“He’ll go on loan to Maud Juniors, but he will continue to train with the first team and we can call him back any time.
“My ethos is if you’re good enough then you’re old enough, but we need to be careful we don’t throw too many youngsters in at once as that can be damaging for their own personal development.
“We have a number of local lads in the team now, but need to be careful how we manage them.”
Kick-off for ’Vale’s game against Nairn is at Station Park on Saturday is 3pm.
