Home   Sport   Article

Keith set for Stirling University test in Scottish Cup


By Jonathan Clark

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

KEITH manager Dean Donaldson is hoping his side can bounce back from Saturday’s derby draw with Huntly as they host Stirling University in the first round of the Scottish Cup tomorrow.

Donaldson has a limited squad to choose from and, despite losing 2-1 to the students in last year’s Scottish Cup, isn’t sure what the Maroons can expect given the frequency at which the visitors change their team.

Huntlys Ross Still slides in on Keiths Grant Thomson..Huntly (2) v Keith (2) at Chrisite Park, Huntly...Picture: Becky Saunderson..
Huntlys Ross Still slides in on Keiths Grant Thomson..Huntly (2) v Keith (2) at Chrisite Park, Huntly...Picture: Becky Saunderson..

He said: “We are missing a few boys for the game, which is disappointing, but there’s no excuses.

“Their team changes quite a bit, so we’re not sure what we are going into but we just have to go out and play our own game.”

With university having just started back for the new year, the away side may also have an improved pool of players to choose from – but Donaldson noted this might be of aid to Keith if it’s the first time the team has played together.

The Keith boss himself is unfortunately not blessed with a great amount of players to choose from. Adam Clark, Jamie McAllister, Davie Day, Ryan Keir and Stewart Hutcheon are all out of the game, while Scott Begg moved to Dubai this week and played his last game in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Huntly.

But hopes are still high that Keith can progress to the second round and exact revenge for last season’s cup defeat.

Donaldson said: “The guys we have got fit and available are more than capable of getting a result, that’s for sure. They have been playing quite well throughout the season.

“Keith need to win in the Scottish Cup as well, for the club. Every Highland League, Lowland League and junior club wants to get as far as they can because it can tide them over for the season.

“But I’m just thinking of getting into the next round, we can’t look too far ahead. We haven’t passed the first round in the last few years.”

If Keith are to progress, the performance levels will have to improve from the draw with Huntly at Christie Park.

After a goalless first half, Keith went 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Michael Selfridge and Cammy Keith but surrendered their advantage to draw after goals from Kai Ross and Declan Milne for the home side.

Donaldson added: “We were the better team but performance levels weren’t as good as the Wednesday and Saturday prior.

“I think the Nairn game took a lot out of us – we played some really good stuff in that match. We went with the same team and in hindsight I should maybe have freshened things up.

“I don’t think some of our guys understood it was a derby, whereas Huntly did.

“They pretty much played no football, they just got stuck in and worked really hard. They battled really well for their point and in the end they maybe earned their luck.

“On another day we could have scored four or five before they got back into it but we missed easy chances.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More