First Team
Braves out for revenge against Colts
10th February 2023
The Braves will return to Alliance Park on Saturday revitalized by Wednesday’s emphatic 5-2 victory over Hearts B in Edinburgh, with a visit from Cumbernauld Colts providing a huge incentive for manager Ricky Waddell after suffering defeat at Broadwood earlier this season.
“We’ve done analysis on last night [against Hearts B], and I think we’re prepared”, said Waddell.
“We’ll be ready to go. We’re approaching Saturday with a positive mind frame, and we’ll see how we get on.
David Proctors side comprehensively defeated the Braves 4-1 in the previous meeting, as Luke Main’s early second-half equalizer was cancelled out by a Billy Mortimer strike, and a Craig Holmes brace.
“There’s lessons to be learned from the last game” Waddell noted.
“Colts had a good result on Tuesday [against Civil Service Strollers], so they’ll also be buoyant for Saturday’s game. It’s massively important that we win on Saturday.
“There’s always that little bit of input in terms of what’s going to be next, and we can never take our eye off the ball.”
The Braves head into Saturday’s clash in fine form, having sealed consecutive victories with Wednesday’s 5-2 result away to Hearts B.
Luke Main opened the scoring for Braves to extend his recent fortunes in front of goal, after netting twice in his last two appearances. An own goal from Jambo’s stopper, McFarlane furthered Braves’ advantage, and John Guthrie’s sensational strike from distance made it three without reply to close out the first half.
Bobby McLuckie’s early second half consolation brought the hosts back into proceedings, however, strikes from Zac Butterworth and Jamie Watson cancelled out Hearts B’s second from Hambrook.
Cumbernauld enter Saturday’s match on mixed form, having won twice in their last five games, including a 1-0 victory over Civil Service Strollers at Christie Gillies Park on Tuesday, courtesy of Daniel Hatfield’s added-time strike.
The Colts sit 14th in the Lowland League table, and their squad boasts vast experience in their ranks, with forward Grégory Tadé. The striker, who has featured for 12 clubs across his career, will look to add to his personal tally, in what has been an excellent career, spanning four countries.
Ricky indicated his desire for the club to climb the Lowland league table, with a result on Saturday the catalyst for success.
“It’s massively important that we win on Saturday. We won convincingly (against Hearts B), and we’re up to 10th, and 6th and 5th are not far off”