Newmains still need commitment on park
ASHFIELD 5 - 1 NEWMAINS Craig Gupwell reckons Newmains United are continuing to pay the price of call offs after 10 players didn’t show for their trip to Ashfield.
Once again United were hit by a spate of no-shows leaving a threadbare squad for Saturday’s Mcbookie West League Two clash at Ashfield.
After conceding inside 60 seconds United couldn’t get back into the game.
They fell further behind to trail 3-0 at the break but did hit back with a Craig Thomson strike before ending up on the end of a 5-1 defeat.
And co-manager Gupwell wants players who signed up to things at the start of the season to prove they’re just as committed as Newmains’ team of off-the-field volunteers that make up their promising media academy.
United’s season has been dogged by late withdrawals so far and gutted Gupwell said: “Unfortunately myself and the other co-manager Paul Davies seem to be saying the same things every week so far this season.
“Once again we were let down by a raft of call offs in the build up to the match against Ashfield.
“It meant we turned up to one of the best teams in the league with just 14 players available after an unbelievable 10 call-offs.
“I don’t know what we expect to achieve with the commitment levels shown by so many of the squad.
“Once again I’m here feeling sorry for the boys who turn up week in week out. It also makes me feel I need to apologise to the people off the field.
“As well as the committed volunteers we have at the club who give everything we also have the people who continually go above and beyond to produce some of the best off the field content in the junior game.”
“I just wish we could begin replicating their efforts on the park more consistently.”
Scotland duty
Formerwishawwycombe Wanderers star Stephen O’donnell was powerless to stop Russia and B elgium inflicting painful defeats on Scotland this international weekend.
The Kilmarnock defender lined up at right-back for Steve Clarke’s men on Friday and Monday night, taking his international record to 11 caps.
Despite starting brightly against Russia on Friday, and taking an early lead, Scotland went on to lose 2-1.
The country’s hopes of automatic qualification were then truly dashed when Belgium destroyed the Dark Blues at Hampden on Monday night.
O’donnell and the whole team struggled as the Kevin De Bruyne-inspired Red Devils ran riot at Hampden, winning 4-0 thanks to goals from Romelu Lukaku,thomasvermaelen,toby Alderweireld and De Bruyne .
Scotland face a trip to Russia next month and O’donnell will be hoping he’s still in manager Clarke’s plans as he builds towards the Nations League play offs next March.