Annan frustrated on first trip to Hampden
Well, it was a big day for everyone at Annan Athletic on Saturday as the club made its first ever visit to the national stadium.
Although, personally, it wasn't all I had hoped for, the boys dug deep in the second half to after our first half performance.
It would have been interesting viewing to see Andy Gray looking through the possession and zonal statistics from the first 45 minutes as we struggled to keep the ball for long periods.
All credit to the players as they worked their socks off and we had three incredible chances that left everyone with their heads down and disappointed to come away with only one point.
Bryan Gilfillan and Mike Jack both came close when goals seemed a certainty and then Phil Storey had the chance of the match with the last kick of the game. Unfortunately, he screwed his shot wide after doing brilliantly to get into the position in the first place.
I hope the wee man doesn't get dejected and I'm sure he won't because he's a confident boy. In fact, it's easy to forget that he is only 17 years old.
I was correct with my thoughts that the manager would tighten things up by sacrificing a striker and putting an extra man in midfield for the Hampden trip.
Unfortunately I was wrong to suggest that I might have been that man - how silly of me.
That's now four matches where I've not moved from the bench and I'm struggling to understand why that is after the three games I played prior to this period.
I was sad and disappointed to see that my old Annan gaffer as manager of Morton at the beginning of the week.
It would be an understatement to say they have had a bad start to the season. I'm good friends with Ryan McGuffie up there and we had been joking with each other in recent weeks about who was more desperate for the points.
I really hoped that Davie would be given the time to turn things around but unfortunately was just one too many and he's paid the price.
I've a lot of time and respect for Davie and I'm sure he'll be back in the game in the not too distant future.
I know I got into a wee bit of trouble from a few readers last week that were none too happy about my main topic being the antics of Emmanuel Adebayor.
I will apologise in advance, but there was no way I could complete the column this week without touching on the .
What a game! And I only managed to see the highlights on Match of the Day.
I was really looking forward to a Super Sunday out in Aberdeen but my partner Laura came down with food poisoning over the weekend so I did the good thing and stayed in for most of the day. I say most because I managed to sneak out for the second half of the Chelsea game when she was asleep!
I'll just finish off by wishing Queen of the South good luck for Wednesday's game when Rangers come to town.
Dumfries is pretty quiet as I write, but it will be a lot busier and more exciting as the day develops. I was going to watch the game at home but I might just venture into town and sample the atmosphere. After all, I did miss out on my Super Sunday...
Hi there, I'm Chris Jardine, midfielder with Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic. I hope, throughout the season, I can give you a good insight into life at the newest Scottish League club and maybe even a few laughs along the way.
Comment number 1.
At 23rd Sep 2009, dpn1 wrote:Chris do you think you'll get the gave against the dees?
we want a trophie this year so it will be hard
p.s major fan of your blog
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Comment number 2.
At 23rd Sep 2009, dpn1 wrote:game*
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Comment number 3.
At 25th Sep 2009, gableendieman wrote:by all accounts you had made a good start to the season and it was thought that you would regain your position permanently. this is the kind of thing that happens when you have an ex-smokie in charge!
looking forward to coming down on the 10th October.
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Comment number 4.
At 25th Sep 2009, jackstray wrote:Couldn't believe your tactics on the wide pitch in the 1st half - you would've been buried by half-time if we had a 2nd striker fit. Even in the 2nd half we were better, though. But the miss at the end was terrible - I didn't realise your striker was only 17 but he was never going to score. Good luck for the rest of the season & at least you got a kickabout at Hampden at half-time. Great to see lower division Scottish football given so prominent a place on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ site, always enjoy your blog.
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Comment number 5.
At 25th Sep 2009, Chris Jardine wrote:Appreciate the comments as always.
#1 - Well I'm always hopeful and we have Bryan Gilfillan missing that day so you never know. I expected to keep my place after my last game 4 weeks ago and thought the same at Hampden last week and neither happened so I won't get my hopes up too much. I hope to be involved in the squad and I'll take anything else as a bonus!
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