Battery re-charge

Clyde’s unbeaten run came to an end last Wednesday as they went down 4-0 to Motherwell in the Scottish Communities League Cup and were dealt a further blow as Annan scraped a 1-0 win at Galabank on Saturday.

Goals from Michael Higdon, Nicky Law, Tom Hateley and Steven Lawless saw a young Motherwell side as worthy winners last week, but it would be a mistake by goalkeeper Filip Mentel that would gift Annan the points.

The Slovakian allowed a weak Steven Sloane header to slip from his grasp as torrential rain besieged the borders, and the Bully Wee were denied a point late on as Declan Gallagher’s header was cleared by Michael McGowan despite vigorous claims it had crossed the line.

However, Brown was philosophical in the face of defeat, even if he felt his side deserved something from the game.

He said: “It was a bad goal to lose, it was a weak header at the back post and Filip just let it slip. But otherwise he’s been brilliant for us and these things happen.

“I think we tried to match them in the first half but we never played well at all and the gaffer gave us a deserved doing at half time.

“In the second half I think we were the better team and created by far the better chances, although I don’t know why big Dec’s header wasn’t given as I thought it was in.”

Despite going out the cup to Motherwell, Brown enjoyed seeing a number of familiar faces even if being put up against Law took so much out of him he felt his hamstring against Annan.

He said: “It was good game and a good experience.

“Having come through the youth ranks at Kilmarnock I know a lot of their team and had played against the likes of Bob McHugh and Steven Lawless before, so it was good to face them again.”

Despite the defeat to Annan dropping Clyde to third in the table, Brown says they are still far above his own ambition for the season.

He said: “At the start of the season to be realistic we were just aiming not to finish bottom.

“We have now played three of the favoured sides in the league, and despite Annan managing to pick up the win, we haven’t looked second best at all.

“We’ve had a pretty hectic schedule so far, especially with the Berwick and Brechin games going to extra time, so it will be good to get a wee break.

“Having no game on Saturday may also allow some of the guys to get back and bolster the squad for the visit of Queen’s Park.

“I think we missed Steph McDonald on Saturday because he is a goalscorer, and hopefully Paul McMullan can recover as well because he is a really good player and will be a good addition to our attacking options.”