Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Gartcairn run ends
ST CADOC’S ............................................. 3 GARTCAIRN ............................................. 0 Scott Mills bemoaned a defensive injury crisis as Gartcairn’s unbeaten start to the season ended against St Cadoc’s.
The Airdrie side lost 3-0 to their West of Scotland League Conference B rivals on Saturday at Mckenna Park.
Aaron Miller netted a stunning hattrick for St Cadoc’s as they capitalised on Gartcairn’s troubles at centre-back.
Kevin Ross pulled out on Saturday morning and his replacement Dom Febers picked up an injury after an hour to leave assistant boss Mills frustrated.
“It was disappointing,” Mills admitted. “The second half was poor. We were really up against it and we just didn’t respond in the right manner.
“St Cadoc’s fully deserved the victory in the end so I don’t have any complaints with the result.
“It was an even game in the first half. We were completely in it and both teams created good chances but we didn’t equip ourselves well enough after the break.
“I don’t want to start making excuses about things but we are not in a great place with our centre-backs just now.
“We’ve got five centre-backs signed and two have been fit for the last wee while. But on the morning of the game, Kevin texted in to inform us that he’d picked up a knee injury.
“He couldn’t play so we had to drop Dom, a midfielder, back into the defence. He was magnificent, especially during the first half when he was absolutely brilliant.
“But he got injured after 60 minutes which is just a sign of our luck at the minute.
“He had to come off and we had to put an under-20’s player in.
“He performed well but it was a big game and I think St Cadoc’s took advantage of our problems in the second half.
“We were trying to get back in the game but we are really struggling at centre-back.
“We just can’t get a break at that position this season.”
The Cairn return to action tonight when they welcome Glasgow United to MTC Park.
Cambuslang Rangers hold a four point advantage over Gartcairn at the top of the table and Mills admits his side need to bounce back quickly.
He said: “Camby are absolutely flying just now but we look forward to playing them because we can put a dent in the gap.
“It’s the same against all our rivals; Renfrew, Greenock and Ardeer.
“We want to play against the teams at the top because it’s the games that we need to win.
“We hope that a centre-back will return on Saturday but aren’t certain. We will find out on the day but we need to win on Wednesday.
“There is no doubt about that because we’ve drawn and lost our last two games. We can’t afford to go on a bad run.”