City looking to disprove case of three and easy Tynecastle

Edinburgh CITY have the opportunity to gain revenge over their Capital rivals Tynecastle when the two clubs clash in the SFA South Region Challenge Cup first round at Meadowbank Stadium tomorrow, (kick-off 2.30pm).

Last Saturday, Tynecastle had home advantage and scored three late goals to defeat City 3-0 in the Image Printers East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, although City's joint manager John Green felt there wasn't that margin of difference between the teams.

"The game could have gone either way with only fifteen minutes to go," stressed Green. "There was nothing in it and both sides were creating chances and, at that stage, Gary Jardine (joint manager] and me decided to change our shape and take off a midfield player and put on an extra striker. We then lost a goal from a throw-in and another only two minutes later. We never recovered and ended up losing 3-0. Sometimes when things are not going your way, then that's it!

"For anybody who was watching the game there was definitely not three goals of a difference but the name of the game is putting the ball in the net. The shape of our team is good but basically we are not taking our chances this season although we definitely have players who are capable of scoring goals and they have proved that in the past.

"Andy Howat and Darren Moonie have scored goals at the top Junior level, Euan Black scored thirteen goals for Stirling University last season and Ross Guthrie can also score goals. All we need is a little composure and I guarantee goals will come."

City have had an indifferent start to the season and have yet to record their first victory and currently occupy second-bottom spot in the Central Taxis Premier Division with three points from three drawn games along with two defeats.

"Realistically, we should have beaten Whitehill Welfare (lost 0-1) and Lothian Thistle (drew 1-1), which would have given us another five points and that would have had us sitting in fifth position," said Green. "It's all ifs and buts and, although we are the only Premier Division side without a win, I am absolutely confident that the boys will come through.

"If we were not creating chances then I would definitely be concerned so we will keep working hard and results will come. There is no pressure on the players because we have a focus and a long-term plan and we will not budge from that. We are currently disappointed but results will come and we will turn things around."

Meanwhile, Tynecastle boss Murray Balloch reflected on his side's 3-0 win last weekend by saying: "It was a very evenly contested game in which City passed up on a couple of early chances and we took heart from that. It always looked like the first goal would win the game.

"We sat the players down at half-time and tried to correct some things and they came out and did what we asked of them. It worked because we scored three goals while we also kept a clean sheet. The City strikers had an off-day which obviously helped us. Overall, the 3-0 scoreline flattered us."

Turning his attention to tomorrow's encounter, Balloch added: "City are a very good side and we know they will be out to reverse last week's result. It will be hard for us but we will have to match them again. We have to start games quicker, especially at the beginning of the second half, and press the game higher up the park. Last weekend, we played Wayne [McIntosh] in midfield although he had a licence to go forward and join the front two of Steve McCormack and Paul Devlin and that paid off." Balloch has also been boosted by the signing of 17-year-old Dale O'Hara on loan from Hearts and the youngster made his starting debut against City. "Dale is a great guy who works very hard at training, gets on well with the rest of the players who rate him highly and he is a good acquisition.

"We usually play better away from home and Meadowbank is a big park with a good surface and if we cut out some sloppy passing then there is no reason why we cannot come away with a result. Obviously City will want to get revenge although they might also have one eye on next week's Scottish Cup tie with Clachnacuddin. I will be asking my players to leave nothing on the park and to let their football do the talking."

The game kicks off at 2.30pm with extra time and penalties, if necessary. Admission charges are adults 4 and concessions 2.