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We were all delighted to get our first game back at home since our victory against Blantyre back in November and the players were determined to build on that much needed home win with all 3 points against Perthshire.

Sadly this proved to be an incredibly frustrating afternoon for us all as we passed up chance after chance and ultimately were punished for it with virtually the last kick of the game and Perthshire’s only shot on goal.

It is easy to say that we did not deserve it and I don’t think anyone would argue with that but the fact of the matter is that if you don’t take advantage in games that you dominate this is always likely to happen. Yes we were by far the better side, yes we played some cracking stuff and the passing at times was fantastic to watch but at the end of the day we were not clinical enough in front of goal and the game should have been dead and buried.

This was a painful one for the players who were gutted after the game however we need to learn from this and certainly must be far more ruthless in killing teams off when we are on top.

On the plus side, the players are working very hard and trying to play the type of football that we want to produce with our passing and movement excellent at times. We need to take those positives and the anger at losing on Saturday on to our next game which is again at home against Johnstone Burgh.

The players must use this experience to make us stronger as a group.

The lengthy delay we have had to endure has been frustrating for everyone associated with the club however there is nothing we can do when this happens and it falls to the players to work hard over this difficult period to maintain fitness levels and focus. All credit to the players as they have done just that and have been patient, got their heads down and got on with it. Mick, Tattie and I are certainly grateful to the players for showing their commitment.

We were eventually back to business last week and whilst we were disappointed not to have taken all three points, we were delighted with the overall performance given the lay off. This gives us encouragement for the rest of the season as we are now entering an important stage of the season. The games to be played are stacking up and we will no doubt have a hectic fixture list in the run in where a huge amount of points are up for grabs. Therefore it is important that we maintain the commitment and performance levels displayed over the last few games (if you can remember that far back!), where we have looked strong and earned valuable points in some difficult ties. Certainly we will be looking to transfer the consistency in performance we have shown away from home back to Westfield and hope to build on the victory we enjoyed in our last home game.

On a separate note, we successfully achieved Standard Quality Mark status with the SFA in November which is an important landmark for the club across all levels. The purpose of this accreditation is to provide clubs with a formal structure to develop young players and create a pathway from youth to adult football. We are working towards doing that with our current U15’s and U19’s and hope to continue to build on this infrastructure as this is clearly of great value to the future of the club.

Finally, well done to Pricey for working away and sorting the home dressing room after the burst pipe disaster during the big freeze. A job well done and also thanks to Danny for his contribution to the cause as well – part and parcel of being a pace player! Just ask Marty and Kev!

Having been involved at the club for over 10 years I am very proud to be given this opportunity and am relishing the prospect of working with a really good group of players. I am delighted to continue to have the pleasure of working with Mick McCafferty as we look to take the team forward and bring success to the club. Mick and I have developed a great relationship over the last couple of years and hope that our partnership and approach can bring the best out of the players.

I am pleased to say that we will continue to have the benefit of Wayne Adams on the coaching staff. Wayne and Mick have great relationships with the players and our combined experience with this group gives us an excellent starting point. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Derek Barron for giving me the chance to have continued to work on the coaching staff when he came in and for what he gave to the club over the last couple of seasons. We wish Derek all the best in the future. 

Mick and I are excited to be taking on a strong squad who have a good blend of experience along with a number of excellent young players who we have every confidence will do the club proud. 

While our 1st game in charge perhaps did not provide the result we were looking for and it was certainly disappointing not to have capitalised on a 2 goal lead, there was absolutely no disappointment in the way the players applied themselves. They gave Mick and I the response we asked for and I don’t think anyone could question the attitude and commitment each and every one of the players showed. It would have been nice for them to have been rewarded for their efforts with the full 3 points however we take a host of positives out of the game and this will stand us in good stead for the remainder of the season. All the players know that this level of work rate is required from here on in. 

This Saturday brings with it our 1st home game and the prospect of a local derby. We welcome Cumbernauld United to Westfield park for what I have no doubts will be a difficult game but one that we are very much looking forward to.