Dundee West bidding to bring home the double

DUNDEE West will look to put a disappointing home defeat behind them on Sunday as they bid to keep trophy hopes alive.

West were beaten 3-1 at home by Dundee United SC in last Sunday’s U/14s League Cup Group B clash, in what official Eoin Boylan found to be an uncharacteristic performance following a run of eight straight wins.

“I’m not really sure how to best describe it,” Boylan told the Tele.

“We were below par which is unusual for us because we have been playing really well recently. It was an off day.

“We were quite flat to be honest, I think that’s what lost us the game.”

Callum Rae gave his team hope after they trailed to an early DUSC opener, grabbing the home side’s only goal of the match.

The visitors flourished in the second half, however, extending their lead and taking the goal tally to three, picking up the same number of points in the cup group.

West need not feel deflated after last weekend’s loss, however, with league prospects still looking healthy and cup silverware at stake on Sunday.

The side trail table-toppers Monifieth by eight points in the U/14 Watson McInally League, but a useful three games in hand means they still have the power to go top.

Crucially, though, this weekend sees West pit themselves against Forfar in the Mac Brown Cup Final at North End Park, and there is an air of confidence about the side.

“It’s our first 11-a-side final and we are really looking forward to it,” Boylan said.

“Forfar are a decent side. They’ve got a couple of good players and they’re all hard-working.

“We do have a chance but will have to be at our best if we want to win.”

The prospect of silverware is an exciting one for the club, and Boylan is adamant his players will rise to the occasion.

“The cup is a one-off — anything can happen. It’s different to just any league game.

“We still have a great chance in the league with three games in hand over Monifieth but we really are taking things one game at a time

“We’ve got to keep the heads, turn up and win the game.

“Hopefully we’ll turn up and play the way we know we can, play well, and win the game.”

Two Dundee West U/14s players (stripes) look to build an attack during their 3-1 League Cup defeat to Dundee United SC at Downfield last weekend.

Spectators watch on as a Drybrugh (maroon) player tries to squeeze away from a Coupar Angus challenge when the sides clashed at Lochee Park.

A Dundee West Reds (red and blue) player adjusts his body as Maryfield look to steal possession in the Age 12 meeting at Downfield.

A Dundee West player (stripes) fights to keep the ball in the U/14s League Cup clash with DUSC.

A Maryfield Age 12 (gold and black) player beats his Dundee West Reds opponent to the ball when the sides met at Downfield.