Deveronvale size up derby cup double header with Buckie Thistle but manager Craig Stewart has one eye on vital Highland League encounters with Lossiemouth and Strathspey Thistle
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The threat of Highland League relegation has softened Deveronvale’s focus on a forthcoming derby cup double header with neighbours Buckie Thistle.
’Vale host Jags in the first round of the League Cup on Saturday, swiftly followed by an Aberdeenshire Shield clash between the teams next Wednesday.
Last weekend’s 2-1 league defeat at Wick Academy, and Strathspey Thistle’s first win of the campaign last week has seen ’Vale slip closer to the danger zone at the bottom of the table.
Manager Craig Stewart is not one to look too far ahead on his fixtures list but admitted that the up-and-coming league games against Lossiemouth and Strathspey are looming large.
“It’s not writing these two cup games off, you can never do that,” he said. “But I really have to manage my squad for the next couple of league games.
“I am not normally one to look too far ahead but with Strathspey getting the win last week, it puts a wee bit more pressure on us to pick up wins. That pressure is always on us but we have Lossie and Strathspey in the next two league games so that is huge points.
“As much as I would like to get far in the cups to give us a confidence boost, with that threat of relegation hanging over the teams near the bottom, we need to make sure going into these league games that we have as many players fit as possible.”
A ’Vale side missing midfield talisman Max Stewart and top scorer Dane Ballard lost out in Caithness, with Stewart admitting that a slack first half showing gifted Wick a 2-0 lead.
Captain Harry Noble did pull one back before the break but despite having the upper hand in the second half and seeing a strong penalty claim rejected, the visitors made the long journey home empty-handed.
“We didn’t get going at all in the first half and were probably lucky to go in at 2-1. They didn’t have a lot of chances but getting the goal before half-time gave us a bit of a lift.
“Judging by the second half we probably deserved to get a draw. I’m not saying we had clear-cut opportunities but we got in some great positions and we were wasteful.
“The pitch cut up quickly and made it very difficult but that is no excuse for the first half performance.
“The boys are not giving up but they gave themselves too much to do and that is the disappointing thing. You can’t afford to give any team a two-goal start in this league, it puts you under pressure big time and that has been the story of our season.”
Ballard was missing due to the imminent birth of his child, while an ankle injury kept Stewart on the sidelines. Stewart is doubtful for the Buckie cup matches but Ballard could return for Saturday, depending on his family situation.
