Mains hit for six after early positives
NEWMAINS UNITED ............................. 3 VALE OF CLYDE ...................................... 6
Co-manager Craig Gupwell reckons a crazy 14 minutes cost Newmains against Vale of Clyde after a second-half demolition.
United led Vale of Clyde 1-0 then 2-1 at Victoria Park but went on to concede six.
But they lost after collapsing in the second half of their latest West Region League Two clash.
Co-boss Gupwell now wants his young team to start believing they’re as good as they are when they next go in front.
He said:“Fourteen minutes of madness left us empty-handed from a game we competed well in over the piece.
“With a bit more savvy and game management we really should have taken something from the game.
“We have a really young squad just now and it just feels as if there’s a lack of confidence when we concede a goal.
“The belief doesn’t seem to be there that we can bounce back from a setback.”
Michael Barton put United ahead after just six minutes then a stunning free-kick from Marc Howson restored their lead ten minutes later.
But United then began to unravel as the Tin Pail levelled again on 70 minutes then scored four more goals in 12 dramatic minutes.
It meant Andrew MacKenzie’s injury time strike was only a consolation.
Gupwell said:“At 2-1 we missed a couple of glorious chances to put the game to bed.
“But when Vale of Clyde equalised in the 70th minute there seemed to be a feeling of acceptance that they’d go on and win the game.
“The 14 minutes that followed was totally baffling and out of context from the rest of the game.
“We can’t afford to be to downbeat though and on reflection there are still a number of positives we can take from the game and build on going into another home game this week.”
United – who remain in 12th spot host seventh-placed Thorniewood this Saturday (kick-off 1.45pm)