Coupar urged to cut defensive mistakes

Defensive mistakes have been costing Coupar Angus points this season.

But manager Lindsay Cruickshank says his improving east Perthshire side are continuing to grow in confidence.

The Foxhall Park men netted an exciting 4-4 North Premier League draw with Brechin Vics last weekend ahead of this Saturday’s trip to bottom of the table Forfar Albion.

“We had a slow start in the first half last week but the boys rallied,”

Cruickshank told the PA.

“They got a few words in the changing room at half-time then came out and played a bit better. We managed to get on top but defensive mistakes let us down again.

“We drafted in a couple of players from amateur teams who didn’t have games. They are players we’re looking at for bringing in for the future.”

Experienced striker Allan Cruickshank netted a hat-trick in the Brechin draw, with Jamie Duncan also on the scoresheet.

“Allan played well and when he plays the captain’s role, he does well,”said the Coupar boss.“We got the rub of the green a couple of times and he took his goals well.

“He actually scored four but one got chalked off despite being three or four yards onside. There isn’t much you can do about that.

“Sometimes we’re not playing the best football. But we want teams to know we will be awkward to beat.

“That is the way we are looking at it. We’re looking to do as well as we can this season, then push it on.”

On this weekend’s Forfar challenge, Cruickshank added:“Forfar are quite like ourselves. They are a stuffy side.

“One week they are getting a good result and then the next they are getting beat from a team they should have taken something from. That is on par with us.

“We’ve got a couple coming back in for the game. Dylan Higgins, our centre-half, is back and we’ll have a couple of trialists.”

Kick-off is 2.30pm.