St Cuthbert Wanderers take encouragement from narrow Caledonian Braves defeat

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St Cuthbert Wanderers were able to take plenty of heart from their Tweedie Cup exit.

The Kirkcudbright side were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Lowland League side Caledonian Braves, having led thanks to a goal from Fraser Campbell.

Craig Rudd, who is taking the team along with Raymond Gordon and Ally McMillan, said: “It’s still a defeat but what a difference to the week before in the performance in terms of energy, tempo – everything.

“The only thing that cost us in the end was we travelled with a small squad. We lost our left back after 10 minutes, so we had to reshuffle a wee bit.

“We had two subs, plus myself and one said he only had 15 minutes in him.

“I’m confident if we had a bigger squad we’d have come away with a result but it’s something to build on.”

Campbell, who has on loan from Queen of the South, scored in the first half to have Saints dreaming of a shock at the break.

However, their Lanarkshire hosts struck twice in the second half to ensure they went through.

Rudd said: “On Thursday night we worked on a bit of shape and the boys were absolutely excellent until they ran out of steam a wee bit.

“In the first half we should have been 4-0 up, we had three clear cut chances and the keeper has made some good saves.

“It wasn’t to not to be but we’re a lot more positive than we were a week earlier.

“They’re full-time, the manager said five had played the night before in the league and they had some first team players just coming back from injury.

“They were a young team but still sharp.”

Saints are back in familiar surroundings this weekend as they welcome Creetown to St Mary’s Park.

And they should have a healthy squad with some of the missing players due to return.

Rudd added: “The next three games are going to be tough but if we put in the same effort and fight that’s all you can ask.

“Some of the quality they showed on the ball on Saturday was excellent. Owen Hall stepped up to captain and put in a proper captain’s performance, he led by example.

“Kehl Gibson came into the team, he’s not played for weeks, but with the way he has trained he deserved it.

“If boys keep plugging away they’ll get their chances and fingers crossed things will start to turn for us.”

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