Before we look ahead to this weekends game, what are your thoughts on the draw at Whitton Park.?
I felt it was a great advert for Junior football with both teams looking to win a game of football. The game was played in spells for both sides, prior to Broughty opening the scoring I felt we had 3 or 4 excellent chances with several one on ones in which we were wasteful but also saw some brave keeping from the Sean Diamond. l felt we were also dealt harshly with the disallowed goal, when two players were shoulder to shoulder but that’s football. I felt Broughty were dangerous and although at that stage hadn’t troubled Jamie Robbie, they also had moments in which they were maybe wasteful with the half chances presented to them.
Falling behind to a soft penalty, which was a penalty and then coming back strongly was great character from us. In the second period I felt the turning point was when we took the lead, we then had a wonderful chance to extend the lead to 3-1 but missed the opportunity. Broughty got an equaliser from poor play by us defensively and I then felt the final 15 to 20 minutes were played at a frantic pace and in the dying minutes we had to rely on Jamie producing a magnificent save to deny Bryan Duell and then a second save to thwart Marc Scott before taking the point we had worked hard for.
Had we conceded so late we certainly wouldn’t have had time to come back and that sums up how football is. Overall I didn’t think we played as fluid as we have recently and maybe that was down to neither team really wanting to lose the game and it created some nerves within our squad. I felt Broughty probably edged the possession and put us under pressure in that last 10 minutes or so. I can’t fault our players for work rate, desire and being difficult to beat, yes we can play better and we can take chances presented to us at key stages of the game but overall I felt a point was a fair reflection for the battling qualities we showed.
This weekend we are once again away from home as we travel to Scone.?
Yes another difficult venue and despite playing Scone twice and winning the games comfortably, we are under no illusions that we will be in for a difficult game. Complacency from us will mean it will be a very difficult afternoon and it’s one thing we can’t be. We will focus and prepare as we have for every game and will do focus on getting the basics right and look to play our football. As a team and club we won’t get carried away, we have had a good season so far but there is so much work in front of us and it’s important we maintain the standards that we demand from ourselves.
Last week saw Jamie Robbie extend his contract to the end of the 2021/22 season, how important is Jamie to how we play.?
I was delighted that Jamie has extended his deal, he has that experience and safe hands that brings confidence to those in front of him. I am sure Jamie would be the first to say that this season, defensively as a group, we have protected his goal and he hasn’t been as busy as maybe in previous seasons. That in itself though shows what a quality keeper Jamie is because when not called upon too often he can then produce exceptional saves like last week and at crucial times showing just how reliable he is to the squad and that gives us a platform to build on.
Finally, next week sees you taking part in the SFF Podcast, what’s that all about.?
Yes it’s primarily to raise interest in the Junior game but also the podcast will raise the awareness for several charity games which are scheduled this year, for Back Onside to help them with the unbelievable work they do for so many that goes unnoticed and the many hours of selfless work carried out by Libby and her team. As a club we are proud to support Back Onside and have a charity game in March for an Ex Aberdeen XI V Ex Celtic XI at Falkirk Stadium and our own legends match in May when an Aberdeen/Dundee team will play a celebrity select side from Back Onside. The podcast gives us a chance to discuss and raise the interest and awareness of this fantastic charity dealing with mental health in sport.
