Huntly ‘too good’ not to return to a cup final after Banks o’ Dee heartbreak in Aberdeenshire Cup
Manager Colin Charlesworth said his Huntly team is “too good” not to be back in another cup final soon after heartbreak against Banks o’ Dee.
The Black and Golds were edged out in the Aberdeenshire Cup final at Inverurie Locos’ Harlaw Park on Sunday, losing 1-0 thanks to Michael Philipson’s strike on 48 minutes.
While the defeat stings, Charlesworth is aware that it was the club’s first Aberdeenshire Cup final in 15 years, and that shows progress.
“When you get to a final, you are 90 minutes away from lifting a trophy and it is about who turns up on the day,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity missed because we got to the final and came out on the wrong side, but the positives are that we got there and we know we can get to another one.
“We are as upbeat as we can be after losing a final. The lads know how close we are to writing our name into the history books for Huntly.
“This group is too good to not get back to another final and the players know that.”
Charlesworth saw his side enjoy large spells of possession in the first period at Harlaw Park, but - in his words - they paid the price for failing to score when in the ascendency.
Dee came out in the second half and scored within three minutes through Philipson - leaving Huntly “huffing and puffing” but failing to level the scores.
“What it came down to was not scoring when we were on top,” Charlesworth said. “In the first half we had lion's share of possession and were in control but if you don't score when on top then you open yourself up to being punished.
“We knew they would come out firing in the second half and they did. They got the goal when they were on top and we did a lot of huffing and puffing but couldn't break them down.”
Huntly are in the quarter-final of the Highland League Cup against Deveronvale on December 7 - and that is a match that is being targeted by Charlesworth.
The Black and Golds will be looking to make their first Highland League Cup semi-final in 15 years when they host Vale at Christie Park.
“Cup competitions are the pinnacle for a lot of teams in the league,” Charlesworth said. “We have to target cup competitions.
“The Highland League Cup becomes an important cup and we want to right the wrongs of the Aberdeenshire Cup.
“We haven’t been in the semi finals since 2009, but we are chipping away at records that nobody wants.
“We have to go and win something now.”
Charlesworth praised Huntly’s “unbelievable” support for following the club to Inverurie on Sunday.
“Everywhere you looked was black and gold,” he said. “That’s what Huntly do.
“Finals are a big deal for people at Huntly and give them something to celebrate.”
Huntly are away to Strathspey Thistle on Saturday in the Highland League, if the match beats the upcoming freezing temperatures.
