Park glad for second bite at cup foes Gala
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FORMARTINE United playmaker Daniel Park knows that the Pitmedden side must improve if they are to cling onto their Scottish Cup dreams.
The North Lodge Park men were far from their best against Gala Fairydean Rovers in last weekend's second round tie, with the Borderers side arguably creating the best chances during the 2-2 draw.
It needed a late leveller from Park himself to earn a replay in Galashiels tomorrow, but the 29-year-old reckons that Formartine will make it through should they play at their capabilities.
“We're still in the cup as it stands", he said.
“It wasn't our best performance on Saturday but we managed to grind it out and get a draw so we're looking forward to the replay down the road.
“They didn't really take us by surprise to be honest, we knew they'd be a decent team, the Lowland League has been getting stronger year-on-year.
“We knew we were in for a tough game and we didn't play our best or apply ourselves the way we can, but we had some good chances too so I think a draw was probably a fair result.
“We'll be going down the road with nothing to fear, so I think if we'll put in a good performance then we'll get the win."
Formartine would have the luxury of a home tie against Gala's Lowland League rivals East Kilbride in the third round, and Park said he's happy that they avoided the many SPFL clubs lurking in the hat.
He added: “We need to get past Gala Fairydean first and it will be a tough game, but if we do that then East Kilbride is probably one of the more favourable ones out of the teams who came into the hat in this round.
“I played them with Cove last year over two legs (in the Scottish League Two play-off) and they are a good side.
“There's no gimmes to get into the next round but it's one of the more favourable ones when you look at a Lowland League team as opposed to an SPFL team.
“We'll need to be at our best to win it, but we'll focus on Saturday first."
Park has impressed in his second spell at United thus far, and believes there is a different feel to the place he left for Cove five years ago.
He added: “There's a few guys from the last time I was here although it is a younger squad this time.
“Aaron Norris has joined, Darryn Kelly, there was a few signings at the start of the year as well but it's still a good team that has come together.
“We're full of ability and good players, it's a team more than capable of winning the Highland League so hopefully we gel over the next few weeks and start picking up the results that we should be picking up.”
