Interim manager Danny Lennon praised the response of our players after we came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Stirling Albion at The Rock.
It was a challenging week for the squad, with Lennon taking interim charge following Frank McKeown stepping down from his role, but Danny was encouraged by the reaction of the players both in training and on matchday.
“It’s been a very challenging week for the club and difficult decisions being made,” Lennon said.
“Once you get over that initial period, football waits for no one and the game continues.
“There was a good response from the players at training, which you would expect, because as much as you don’t like to see anyone go out of their way, these guys have also got a responsibility, and they see that themselves.
“They knew that there was more to give there. In terms of that, there was a great response and a great reaction from them.”
With just one training session available before the game, Lennon was not looking to make wholesale changes, instead relying on his existing knowledge of the squad from his time as Director of Football.
“I’ve been to most training sessions since I’ve been here, I’ve been at most of the games,” he explained.
“I’ve got a bit of knowledge of what the players and what their qualities and strengths are. Let me tell you, there’s that in abundance here at this football club.
“There’s great individual players here who do have a lot of potential and that produces possibilities.
“The harder we fight and the more that we are together, those possibilities then become winning performances, which gives you winning results.”
Lennon felt we created a number of promising moments during the opening 45 minutes, particularly when we were patient in possession.
“I thought in the first half we had very, very good moments. I thought when we got the ball down and we were a little bit patient with it, played through the lines, got the ball into key areas, into our key players. We had a few good moments.
“I’ve got to say, a fantastic save from their goalkeeper and the one where the boy has an outstanding clearance on the line. Great defending on their part.
“Mason Munn also produces a fantastic save from a counter attack against us.
“Going into the second half, our message at half-time was give us more of the same, picking that right moment. But I felt we couldn’t get into that rhythm in the second half.
“I felt we got a little bit more forceful with the ball going forward. There was a little bit more knockdown football. We didn’t seem to have it quite our own way.
“I would have liked to have seen that little bit more control and composure on the ball.”
Sons fell behind from a Stirling set-piece, with Lennon frustrated by the defending but pleased by the way our players responded.
“You then go the goal down, so you do. It’s a poor one for us, for a set play.
“It is a very difficult call for the referee and the officials, and you look to see the reaction of your players. Sometimes that tells you. But nonetheless, the goal is given.
“What was really, really pleasing was the reaction from the group of players, they managed to go and get themselves back into the game.
“We managed to then, as you are a goal down, you manage some forceful changes, but some you put on a little bit more creativity.
“I thought, going into the last 10 minutes of the game, any time that we broke, we looked very, very promising.”
Attention now turns to the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup as Highland League side Keith visit The Rock sponsored by Marbill Coaches on Saturday, with Danny relishing the opportunity to take on different opposition and continue building with the squad.
“Obviously, it’s always a nice welcome break to play in the oldest Cup competition out there. The Scottish Cup is always a bit special, and you manage to play teams that you’re not playing every single week.
“It’s always a nice welcome break there. In cup competitions, you always want to go out there and do well. You want to get in there with the big guns.
“So that will certainly be our aim and our focus building up to this week.”
With more time available on the training ground, Danny is looking forward to working with the squad and introducing new ideas.
“I’m really looking forward to the players enjoying their evening tonight. But more importantly, reflecting and evaluating when we go again on Tuesday and Thursday,” he continued.
“It gives us a little bit of time, maybe to bed in one or two different ideas.
“We’re still working with the same ingredients and the quality that’s here. But as coaches, sometimes we bake that cake a wee bit different.”
Tickets are discounted for the Keith game – priced at just £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. Get yours via Fanbase.