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THE CAIRN’S UNBEATEN RUN ENDS
Gartcairn’s unbeaten run ends at the Port
Gartcairn gaffer Jamie McKenzie has challenged his players to start a new unbeaten run after they were defeated by Port Glasgowat the weekend.
Until Saturday, Cairn hadn’t been the losing side in 13 League One outings this season, meaning they were the only unbeaten junior side in Scotland.
But they now have a blot on their copybook after the defeat on the west coast.
Gartcairn remain top of the table but Shotts Bon Accord are now level with the Airdrie junior side on 36 points.
Cairn’s game in hand means they still hold an advantage over one of their title rivals, and they play mid-table Shettleston this Saturday.
McKenzie said: “I’m really disappointed in the manner that we lost against Port Glasgow.
“We didn’t show up or begin to compete in the game so it’s one we need to move on from very quickly.
“It’s a difficult place to go and try and play as they’re a bunch of boys who want to fight and battle.
“They were really up for it and we didn’t stand up to them.
“If they had outplayed us it would be easier to take but they just turned the game into a fight and we didn’t match it.”
Reflecting on his team’s unbeaten run, McKenzie added: “We’re doing just fine – this loss doesn’t make us a bad side and I told the boys that after the game.
“The run was probably going to come to an end at some point, it’s very hard to get through a season unbeaten.
“But the challenge is there now for the boys to go and start another one and make sure we’re still the team to beat in this league.
“We’re disappointed this one is over but we’ll move on from it.
“The way Port Glasgow celebrated at full-time was a bit embarrassing – it was like they’d won the World Cup.
“But that just shows our boys what we’re up against as they were up for the game more than us.
“Our unbeaten run made us a target as everyone wanted to be the team to end it.
“This will now be a good test of character for them so we’ll see how the squad reacts.
“The boys had a good Christmas night out on Saturday and will train hard this week for the Shettleston game.”
McKenzie didn’t make any changes to the starting lineup for the game against Port Glasgow.
He insists the team just didn’t match their “usual standards”, but is sure that won’t become a trend throughout the rest of the season – beginning with the game at home to Shettleston this weekend.
McKenzie said: “There’s still a lot of football to be played this season.
“Plenty of clubs will still fancy their chances and Port Glasgow might still have a big say in this title race if they keep turning up like that.
“We didn’t play to our usual standards on Saturday and we paid the price for it.
“We’ll stay focused on our performance and once the big games come along against teams near us in the table we’ll take care of them.
“We beat Shettleston 4-3 in the first game of the league season.
“We know it will be a hard game but it’s an opportunity for us to bounce back and get another unbeaten run going.
“We want to get back to winning ways and if we win our game in hand we’re clear at the top of the league.
“At the moment it’s up to other teams to catch us.
“Hopefully we will do enough to push on.”