Wishaw manager David Dunn says his side’s new-found luck will be vital when they face Premier Division side Beith Juniors in the West of Scotland League Cup first round.
Dunn’s team emerged from Saturday’s West of Scotland Football League Conference C clash with Vale of Clyde as 5-3 winners, in which fortune shone upon them.
John Cunningham netted a hat-trick while Kieran Brannan and Kieran Campbell also netted in the eight-goal thriller, which was tied at 2-2 when half-time came before Vale of Clyde had a man sent off.
It leaves the Beltane Park club seventh in the table after 21 games played. They sit three points behind nearest rivals Kilsyth Rangers, who have played a game less.
And Dunn, who climbed off the bench to net the winner against Vale of Leven last week in his first game in charge, said: “It wasn’t a bad game!
“There were a lot of goals and there could have been a lot more.
“We are delighted that we got the three points but if we are being brutally honest, I don’t think we did well enough in the first half.
“We’ve got our goalkeeper – Jordan Hart – to thank for keeping us in the game. We started the game really well and got ahead but by the half-hour mark we were non-existent.
“We were very fortunate to get in at half-time with the game 2-2. Jordan had to make three or four really top saves to keep us in the game.
“We were a lot better in the second half and scored a lot more goals.
“We were fortunate that there was a turning point in one of their players being sent off.
“It’s a bit of luck that we haven’t had for a long, long time.
“We won our first game for a while at Vale of Leven and I had to make a few changes.
“It’s been difficult but that’s the joys of the game.”
Dunn knows he’s facing a higher calibre of opponent this weekend in the cup.
He added: “I said to the boys on Saturday that these are the games you should want to play in.
“We’ve got young boys who are striving to play against these sort of teams. We can’t be slack and we can’t afford any mistakes.
“At that level you get punished for any mistakes. But it’s a free hit for us. We’ll have a go.”
Kick-off at Bellsdale Park on Saturday is 1.30pm. Wishaw return to league action on January 29 when they travel to Kilsyth Rangers.
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