Andy Donlevy Weekly Update

Last week we played against Lothian Thistle HV in the 2nd Round Scottish Cup, a game everyone connected to the club were really looking forward to, and we all hoped to put in a performance to standard of previous rounds against Broxburn and Camelon that hopefully would see us progress to the 3rd Round draw the following day.

In front of a fantastic crowd of nearly 900 it’s fair to say we unfortunately didn’t perform anywhere close to our capabilities.  Maybe the occasion got to both teams as it was a fairly scrappy game with not many clear cut chances and not much free flowing football from either side over the 90mins. However I would say after our penalty miss I felt Lothian settled into the game for a 15/20min period and had more composure in possession and caused us a few problems with a tweak to formation.

We did well to stay in the game at that point as we dealt with a bit of pressure. A couple of changes allowed Ben Bathgate to come on, causing some great forward runs to support the forwards. It was his tenacity that won us our second penalty.

Devs scored with a superb finish to put us in front. From then on with the way the game had gone I thought we may have seen the game out but it wasnt to be as Lothian claimed a deserved equaliser in the 90th minute.  It did feel a bit deflating at the time but when analysing the game as a whole I don’t believe either team did enough to win and a draw was a fair result and both teams could be happy to see themselves in the draw for the 3rd round on the Sunday.

On to this week’s replay  and it’s another chance for both teams to get through.  We know our potential opponents as the winner will play at home to Scottish League 2 side Edinburgh City following the draw last Sunday. A great incentive for both teams. I hope it’s a cracking game for everyone that comes along. Both teams will be going all out to get through.

Just one final thing from me, the crowd last week was superb and the increase in crowds each round as well as at league games have been fantastic. The whole town has come out to support the club and we are all really grateful.

I believe due to popular demand I understand the club will be running supporters buses for the first time in many a year.  That is amazing!  To hear and see the support the team is receiving is brilliant. Fingers crossed we can do them and the club proud by putting in a performance which will see us progress in the Scottish Cup and keep the journey alive.

All the best

Dunny

DUFC