Annan aiming to get back in form

Nov 7 2008 by Kieran West Brook, Dumfries Standard Friday

AN UNDER-STRENGTH Annan team missing two key players is looking to put Saturday’s disappointing cup defeat against Spartans behind them with a win against Montrose tomorrow.

Mike Jack and Kevin Nelson are both suspended for the match, following sending offs during Annan’s last league match against Cowdenbeath a fortnight ago.

Last time the Annan took on Montrose, honours were even with both teams taking a point.

Back then however, the Galabankies were enjoying a good start to the season, having won two and drawn one prior to the match, and were undefeated in the league.

Since then, Annan’s fortunes have changed, with them taking just three points from a possible 18.

The Galabankies face Montrose off the back of a dreadful run of form, having not taken a point since mid September, when they beat Elgin 2-1 away from home.

And after the cup defeat last weekend at the hands of rivals Spartans, Annan boss Harry Cairney is looking to get his team’s season back on track with a win.

He told the Standard: “The aim every week is to get a win and this weekend will be no different.

“We were obviously very disappointed by last week’s result but preparations have been going well for the weekend.”

Annan were beaten by two goals in as many minutes, which saw them lose 2-1, knocking them out of the Scottish Cup.

The boss blamed the defeat on a dip in morale after the Spartan’s equaliser.

He said: “We started well in the first half, getting the goal and creating a couple of chances.

“After we conceded what was a very good goal in the second half, our heads went down which led to us conceding the second straight after.”

The Annan manager was encouraged by the team’s first half performance, though he did concede clear-cut chances were few and far between.

Montrose will arrive at Galabank Stadium tomorrow, having conceded five goals in the last two games.

Annan currently sit three places below Montrose in the Third Division, and will be hoping to cut the five-point gap that separates them with a win tomorrow.