By DYLAN INGLIS
PAUL DAVIES feared Newmains wouldn’t be able to live with one of the kings of their division.
But now he’ll urge his side to be crowned winners when they take on Royal Albert.
United lost their West of Scotland Conference B opener to the ambitious Airdrie outfit.
The visitors – bossed by ex-Motherwell kid Willie Kinniburgh – crashed in four goals before the break.
But co-boss Davies was pleased to see an improved showing in the second 45, when they pulled a goal back and missed a late penalty.
Now he wants his team to take that attitude into the clash with The Albert tonight (Wednesday July 21, kick-off 7.30pm).
The game will be played at Victoria Park with Albert unable to use their home ground.
Davies said: “We always knew facing Gartcairn was going to be tough. Willie Kinniburgh has put a super team together and they’re probably capable of playing in the Premier Division right now.
“Their front three were absolutely exceptional. We knew going into it that it was going to be all about levels.
“They’ve got players who are a better calibre than the ones we have and that’s nothing against our players.
“They’re signing guys who have played in the SPFL so we knew it would be real tough.
“We told boys afterwards it was a game where we didn’t have an expectation to take any points.
“But come Wednesday night there’s a different type of pressure and we need to bounce back and see a performance against Royal Albert.”
Davies and fellow co-boss Craig Gupwell switched to a 4-4-2 after the break.
He felt the second half display was much improved, with a trialist scoring a stunning strike and Marc Howson failing to convert from the spot.
Davies added: “We tried to go in with a game plan but in the first half we didn’t do it.
“We got a chance to regroup and we changed the shape. We were just trying for damage limitation by then though.
“It was definitely an improvement in the second half.
“We only got beat 2-1 in comparison to being 4-0 down at half-time.
“We missed the penalty at the end as well – if that had gone in then it’s a 2-2 game then isn’t it!”
Entry for Wednesday’s clash and Saturday’s home game against Thoniewood (kick-off 2pm) is £5 per adult, £2.50 per OAP and free for under-16s.
