‘Nice guys’ need to claim scalps

WHILE Gala have undoubtedly been the surprise package of the Premier One season so far, it has been encouraging to see all three promoted teams hold their own in the top flight.

With four wins over Currie, Glasgow Hawks, Heriot’s and Boroughmuir from five outings, Gala have climbed to third in the league and will go one higher if they beat second-placed Dundee today. That is good going by anyone’s reckoning, but the achievements of Aberdeen should not be sniffed at either. They have kept their Border rivals in their sights by picking up an impressive five bonus points to augment their two wins so far, and this puts them fifth in the table.

Edinburgh Accies, meanwhile, have made waves because of the way they have played, rather than the scalps they have claimed. They did get a big win at Goldenacre three weeks ago, but that result sits amidst three defeats and a home draw against Glasgow Hawks, which leaves them languishing third from bottom before today’s home match against Hawick.

Simon Cross’s outfit has drawn plaudits from every opposing coach for their attacking ambition and commitment to expansive play, but the former Edinburgh pro is acutely aware that, in the tough world of sport, being a nice team to watch is not much good if you are also a nice team to play against. “We’ve got the skill set to play a fast expansive game and be successful, as we showed against Hawks – a game which we really should have won – and particularly against Heriot’s. But we have also seen that we need to be a little bit more intelligent about where and when we move the ball,” he said.

“We’ve had two fairly heavy defeats in our last two games but we are not panicking about that,” he continued. “What has killed us is silly mistakes in our own half. We have to be better at identifying when it is time to play the percentages, by keeping it tight, or kicking it long and making the opposition work their way out of trouble. We need to look at forcing the opposition to kick to us because we’ve got a very dangerous back three, with Jamie Sole in particularly fine form at the moment.

“We’re not all about throwing the ball about. Our driven line-out is a vital part of our game and the set-piece is as important to us as it is to any other team.

“We know that we have to knuckle down to get the ball and build pressure, but we also believe the best way for us to be successful is by making the most of our attacking ability when the time is right.

“Our aim is to finish in the top eight and October is going to be a huge month, with games against Hawick, Stirling County, Aberdeen Grammar, Gala and Melrose.

“We are by no means out of touch, but we know we have to start winning soon or we will be in trouble.”

Cross is hoping that Accies’ campaign for survival will be boosted by the arrival of Australian duo Jake Knight and Josh Hitchins. The former makes his debut for the club on the wing this afternoon, while the latter is a hooker-cum-breakaway who will feature off the bench.