The Warriors are straight back to the action on Tuesday night as we continue our Premier Sports Cup campaign.
Saturday saw the team pick up their first win of the season against Highland League Champions, Fraserburgh. Will Sewell and Craig Bryson both opened their accounts for the club with Matty Yates getting his second in 2 games.
Tuesday will be a different challenge though as we take on League One side Montrose.
The website spoke to Stephen Swift on Sunday afternoon to get his thoughts on yesterday’s game, and picking up the first win of the season.
“It was good to get the first points on the board in the Premier Sports Cup. Obviously the first game against Thistle, we were unlucky not to take a point, but it was good to take care of Fraserburgh, which was good in that respect and I thought that we thoroughly deserved it, the only gripe that I would have is that we probably should have scored more goals.”
Will Sewell scored the first of the afternoon yesterday and he could’ve added a few more after creating a number of good chances. Alongside Tam Orr and Matty Yates, it’s a very formidable strike force, but does that give the gaffer a headache in terms of picking his most lethal attacking threat?
“That’s exactly why we’ve brought Will, Matty and Tam in. We want to be more attacking this year and I feel that we have the best strike force in the league. And I don’t mean one, I don’t mean two, I mean all 3 three of them. So it means that headaches are inevitable if the three of them are fit, but that’s what we want. We want to have options and we want to make sure that we’ve got that for most of the season, though we know that it’s unlikely all three will always be available, but we’ll want to have all three fit for most of the season.”
And looking ahead to Tuesday’s night’s match against Montrose. They’re a very strong side and have cemented their place in a very competitive League One. So what approach is the gaffer looking to take heading into the match?
“We’re going to keep mixing the players up. We have a decent squad and we want to create that hunger in terms of everybody vying for positions for the Albion Rovers game and I can see the hunger within the squad. So, I think we keep to our game plan, we’re not going to change anything. We’ll stick to our game plan and hopefully it will be enough for a good performance and a decent result against Montrose.”
One thing that is always apparent from the players and coaching staff is how well the team bonds and how strong the friendships are. The boys enjoyed a team-bonding golf day on Sunday and these events help build friendships off the park which will then flourish relationships on it.
“It was great, and a good bit of camaraderie for the players. But the main thing for me, it wasn’t just the players. It was the staff and the Board that made an appearance, and it was good to have the whole club together and I think that’s really important. I think it was a really good success and I think that we can have other days like it. I spoke to the Chairman and I think he was pleased with how it went as well. So I think it’s important to involve everyone at the club because it’s a real team effort.”
As well as speaking to Swifty, the website also spoke to Mikey Anderson. Mikey has become an important part of the squad over the last year and we spoke about Tuesday’s match and Saturday’s win.
“It’s good to get the first win, it’s always important and it’s good to get that and kick on. Montrose on Tuesday is going to be a tough game, but it’s another one that we can go and win up there and we’re looking forward to the League starting.”
Mikey Anderson was a new player last year along with 22 other new signings, but now he’s a group of a solid core that Swifty has built his team around. With the new boys coming, we asked how the changing room has been over the last few weeks.
“Yea, we’ve kept the nucleus of the squad from last year, and the new boys that have come in have gelled pretty quickly, so it’s a good changing room.”
Nicky Jamieson limped off on Saturday after picking up a dead leg and he’ll most likely miss out. Adam Corbett should be available though and will likely partner at the back with Sean Crighton. Euan O’Reilly should also be back to full fitness following a niggling injury. And Dan Higgins remains an injury doubt but is hopeful to be ready for Albion Rovers visit to Ochilview on 30th July.
MATCHDAY INFORMATION
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Match Entry: Away fans can enter via pay at the gate or you can purchase your ticket in advance online here. Adult admission costing £12, concessions £6 and under 12s are free.
