Lapse in concentration costs The Mids

MID Annandale travelled to Sanquhar on Saturday to take on Nithsdale Wanderers in a South of Scotland League match.

And the Lockerbie side came away scratching their heads as to how they managed to be on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline.

Mids started brightly, only some last ditch tackling by the Nithsdale defenders and a fantastic save by the Wanderers keeper denied Lockerbie striker Darren Monteith.

The Mids continued to press for most of the half with Nithsdale’s only foray forward leading to a smart save from Ciaran Boyes in the Mids goal who used his legs to maximum effect.

As football would have it, however, the roof caved in on the Lockerbie side in the last five minutes of the half when Kian Storey was adjudged to have fouled in the box to give away a converted penalty and receive a red card to boot.

With concentration lost, Mids ended up finding themselves three down at the break.

The second half was the same as the first with the Mids taking the game to Nithsdale and, despite the scoreline, they came close on several occasions before a body blow in the shape of another penalty award set them back on their heels for a short period of time.

Never say die however, Mids hit back with a Jordan Harley solo effort midway through the half.

And they had a great chance to reduce the leeway even further with 15 minutes to go but Monteith’s penalty strike was well saved by the home keeper.

The match finished off with the Mids youngsters still pushing forward and, although they could not register any more goals, they can take comfort in the fact they will play worse in the future and still win.

If they can take that form into this Saturday’s League Cup quarter final match at home to St Cuthbert Wanderers, they will have a great chance of reaching a semi final. Kick off at New King Edward Park is at 2 pm.

Elsewhere, Lochmaben, who were without a fixture last weekend, return to action tomorrow away to Abbey Vale in the semi final of the Alba Cup, KO 2 pm.