Pirie proud as Locos go out the Cup with credit

Published on Tuesday 3 February 2009 08:54

MOTHERWELL provided a professional performance to book their place in the fifth round of the Homecoming Scottish Cup last night although opponents Inverurie Locos came out of the game with a lot of credit.

The Highland League side fell behind to a John Sutton header after just 90 seconds, but battled back to keep the score to 1-0 at half-time, before David Clarkson's header and a close-range effort from Sutton sealed the game at Harlaw Park.

If there was one man who typified the performance of Dave Cormie's side, it was towering defender Greig Pirie.

Despite picking up an injury late in the game, he hobbled back on to make up the numbers with all three substitutes already used and Pirie was pleased with his side's showing.

He said "I thought we did well considering we're a part-time club.

"After the first minute I though 'Oh my God, here we go' but we gave a good account of ourselves over the 90 minutes."

Of the injury he suffered, which effectively saw his side reduced to ten men, Pirie continued: "I thought somebody had gone through the back of me, but nobody was near me so I think I must just have twisted my knee, whether it's a ligament or not I don't know.

"I went back on just to give them an extra body to mark, but I was shattered and there was nothing I could do, really."

Having been postponed four times already due to a frozen pitch, snowfall over the course of the day meant a different kind of challenge for the players.

Pirie's manager, Dave Cormie, praised their opponents, adding: "The right team won the game, for the Scottish Cup as well as just last night.

"I was looking forward to a respectable performance against a side I class as a very good side, and that's just what we got."

Meanwhile, Well boss Mark McGhee praised his team for their professional performance against the Highland League club.

"We made it hard for Inverurie by getting players behind the ball. I asked the boys to keep it simple, play the easy ball and pass the way they're facing.

"I wanted players like Jim O'Brien to show a bit of discipline, pass the ball rather than go on wee runs. They did it well, although it didn't always come off on a difficult pitch. It was what was needed here as they were never going to make it easy for us."