Huntly 1 Forfar Athletic 4: Late heartbreak for Black and Golds who go down to extra-time loss to Loons
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A LAST-MINUTE lapse of concentration saw Huntly denied a cup scalp in the cruelest fashion at Christie Park on Saturday.
The Black and Golds were a goal to the good against League Two side Forfar Athletic from the 16th minute, after Michael Dangana’s goal, until the 95th, before conceding from a last-gasp corner.
The psychological blow inflicted by that goal told in extra-time as the Loons added three further goals to their tally to win 4-1.
Manager Allan Hale said he was “proud” of his players’ efforts.
“It’s a lapse of concentration,” he said. “We have got to put it down to that.
“We had to deal with a lot of crosses, set pieces and corners and, to be fair to the players, the dealt with them well.
“Forfar had a right go in the second half but we were keeping them out pretty comfortably, to be honest, and they didn’t know where there goal was coming from. We never felt in danger.
“But at 1-0 all it takes is one opportunity and it was last-minute we should have dealt with. Missing the chances for the second goal has ultimately cost us.
“In extra-time the energy and the legs weren’t there and Forfar sensed blood and took advantage. Psychologically, losing a goal when seconds away from a historic win was hard and the players had put so much into the game.
“I’m proud of their efforts. We were 10 seconds away from taking a League Two scalp. Had you told me we would do that three years ago I’d probably have laughed at you.
“It’s unfortunate, but we have got to put things into context.”
Huntly will aim to learn the tough lesson learned from Forfar when they welcome high-flying Formartine United to Christie Park on Saturday in Highland League action.
Hale added: “It was difficult to pick the players up. They were hurting.
“The had the whole ground behind them and most people were sensing that a really good victory was seconds away.
“It’s a tough one, but it’s a lesson – against a League Two side that were probably aiming for the promotion play-offs – that we will learn from and gain experience from.
“We know it will be tough against Formartine. They had a fantastic result against Clydebank, so it will be a difficult game.”
Huntly will have central defender Ruari Fraser available for the first time on Saturday. The Aberdeen-based defender signed from Forres Mechanics on Friday, and is in contention to play Formartine United, one of his former clubs.
Hale added: “Ruari is someone we have been looking at for a while.
“It’s an area where we have had a lack of depth and we felt we had to strengthen.
“Defensively Ruari has a lot of qualities we look for. He’s settled in well, he has a great attitude and we look forward to working with him. He’s been signed to play so he’ll be in the squad and in contention.”
