Threave Rovers coach Kevin Somerville heaped praise on Newton Stewart after they thumped his side in the League Cup on Saturday.
The Castle Douglas team was on the receiving end of a shock 3-0 defeat at Blairmount Park – just seven days after they’d eased to a comfortable win over Wigtown at the same venue.
Somerville said: “There’s an expectation on us to win every game but in reality Newton Stewart were excellent.
“I could sit and pick the holes in what we did or didn’t do but they had a really good game plan.
“Their energy levels and workrate were unbelievable and their management team has probably gone away wishing they could get the boys to do that every week.
“If they can hold on to that group of players they’ll be up at the business end in future years. Their work rate, energy and togetherness were all the things you want to see and unfortunately on Saturday I saw it more from them than our boys.”
After threatening early on, Newton edged in front when Robert Hughan’s corner was diverted into the net by a Threave defender.
Matt Deazeley doubled the lead before the break and added his side’s third in the second half.
And he could even have had a hat-trick late on when Newton were awarded a penalty but his spot-kick was saved by Kieran McCulloch.
Threave made the trip to Newton missing a number of key players and things didn’t get any better when Dan Carmichael had to go off in the early stages.
Somerville said: “I’ve never known an injury crisis like we’ve got at the moment.
“We had five or six boys out injured and we only had two on the bench because the registration rules means we can’t play boys from the under-17s without releasing and resigning them.
“We were a bit short but that’s no excuse – we had enough to win the game, they were just better than us.
“They didn’t let us get into a rhythm. At 0-0 Aiden Kerr had a heavy touch in front of goal and their goalkeeper could gather when he’d normally score. If we go 1-0 up it probably takes the wind out their sails but missing it gives them a lift and they took their chances before half-time.
“We got a reaction from what was said at half-time, didn’t take our chances and every one we miss gives them a lift.
“When we had a player off getting treatment they managed to score during that period and it’s difficult to get anything going from there.”
Somerville and gaffer Vinnie Parker are hoping to have some players back this week including goalie Graham Wright, Ryan Coates, Graham Wright, Callum Williams, Tom Smith and Bryan Gilfillan.
And it’s an exciting week for Threave as they have a double header against local rivals St Cuthbert Wanderers.
Wednesday's Haig Gordon Cup clash saw Saints run out 4-2 winners with the two sides meeting again in a League Cup group game on Saturday.
Somerville said: “I think we’ve only lost two in a row once since we’ve been in there so there will be a reaction.
“It’s our first full season with the guys as last year was cut short with Covid. I look round football and don’t see anywhere ripping it up in their first full season, it takes a bit of time getting things right.
“We had expectations that were maybe too high.
“We have a group of boys who care, who work hard and want to get better.
“We’ve lost twice to Saints this season and that hurts the boys.
“It’s the biggest game in the league and the boys will be up for it but Saints are a very good side.
“I know Jordan Williamson and Ross well. I taught them at the college many moons ago.
“They’ve been there three or four years and are a bit further down the process than us.
“They’ll not get anything for free, our boys will give everything.”
