Vics send out warning despite loss

Jun 18 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

BLANTYRE Vics were knocked out of the Evening Times Cup-Winners’ Cup in Monday’s semi-final – but Willie Harvey was proud of his players’ efforts against Irvine Meadow.

Central League Second Division winners Vics held the Super Premier League champions until the 70th minute, before a deflected Chris McGowan goal put Meadow through to face Pollok in tonight’s (Thursday’s) final.

Although naturally disappointed, Harvey was full of praise for his weary players.

He said: “It was an outstanding performance against a team that is the best in Scottish junior football, and we took them right to the wire.

“We had four tremendous chances to win the game and I think over the 90 minutes we had the better chances, but we were punished because we didn’t take them.

“Irvine Meadow are a quality side and will pass you to death if you let them, but we got right in their faces and worked really, really hard.

“I have nothing but praise for my players and they have been outstanding for me, not just on Monday night but throughout the whole season.

“I’m disappointed but very happy for the players. To come off the park and be gutted at losing 1-0 against Irvine Meadow says a lot and shows that we must be doing something right.”

Harvey said a single lapse in concentration was all it took for Irvine Meadow to grab the winner, although the shot took a deflection through a ruck of players.

He explained: “We didn’t close down the cross from the left and they scored in about 70 minutes. We had defended really well all night but didn’t get close enough to their striker.

“It was one of those shots that could have gone anywhere – over the bar, into Alan Colquhoun’s arms or past the post – but it went right into the top corner. That’s the luck you get when you’re at the top.

“We know it took a deflection off somebody but we’re not pointing fingers and there wasn’t too much of an inquest – it was the one time we switched off and we got punished for it.

“But my players showed me what they are capable of and that is what we will now expect of them.”