HISTORY CORNER – A MANAGERS VIEW

This part of history happened around five years ago

We look at a GCFA manager’s thoughts after his teams start to the season

Around 5 years ago

The Managers View – The season so far…

Murdo Graham

Glasgow Island

As the festive season and the subsequent winter break draws nearer it is a suitable time to reflect on the season so far.

It was certainly a disappointing start – a 5-1 victory over Royal Union in the first game was overshadowed by a run of very disappointing draws and a couple of unacceptable defeats.

However, things picked up into October and some good results have put a better sheen on things. It is heartening to still be in the Scottish Amateur Cup going into the 4th round, and also the WOS Cup with a 3rd round tie on the horizon. Particularly pleasing was a 4-2 win over CSAFL outfit, Cambusnethan Talbot, in the 3rd round of the Scottish and a very tough penalties victory away to South Lochaber Thistle in the WOS 2nd round.

Unfortunately, we exited the GCFA League Cup on penalties after a 2-2 draw away to Lomond Vale, despite a convincing victory over them in the WOS 1st round. A very tough tie to get early in the competition.

Three new signings have really began to show their quality latterly, and this is encouraging. Ryan Nicholson, a young recruit from Barra, Gregor Cook from the Isle of Coll who we picked up from Lokomotiv Glasgow, and Archie McNicol from Arran who came to us from Southside Utd are now looking like top acquisitions. We have also welcomed Caley Mackay back after knee reconstruction surgery and he has started to show once again why he has been such a tremendous servant to the club over the last 15 years.

We were sad to learn that top defender Fergus o’Hanlon will miss most of the season having had an ACL tear confirmed, and we have been without the mercurial talents of Zander MacNeil for weeks. We wish both players the quickest of recoveries.

Let’s hope the positive results of recent times continue.

Murdo, Glasgow Island 2019