'I know the boys can play like that' - Waddell on Colts victory

Caledonian Braves manager Ricky Waddell was pleased to see a performance he knows his players are capable of in the 1-0 win against Cumbernauld Colts.

The Alliance Park side picked up their first win in four games in the match at Broadwood Stadium, with an Andy Dowie goal the difference between the sides.

The Braves dominated for most of the match, especially after the Colts went down to ten men. They had a few good chances to extend their lead, but will settle for the three points regardless of the fashion they came in.

Waddell said he had a feeling of relief when the final whistle blew, and the team can now build on a victory that was long in the making.

He said: "Yeah it's a sigh of relief but I'm happy with the performance. We were looking for a performance like that because I know the boys can play like that.

"I know Cumbernauld went down to ten men but even before that I felt like we were the dominant side, apart from a five minute spell where they started to come into it a little bit. I didn't ever feel under pressure in the game so yeah, I'm relieved and happy and it gives us a bit of breathing space."

Waddell made a number of changes to the team that faced East Kilbride on Tuesday, with Andy Dowie and Alan Reid re-uniting in the heart of defence and Gavin Lachlan starting in midfield. 

On the changes, Waddell said: "There was honestly nothing to it other than a freshening up. I've been saying that the squad needs a freshen up and I was going to do that until I got the right formula.

"I watched Cumbernauld's most recent game on Wednesday night and I looked at their team, and the team that I picked reflected how we could hurt them and also not give away too much. I felt that Andy Dowie and Alan Reid were rocks at the back as well. 

"But tactics and formations that's one thing, grit, desire and determination and confidence is another and that's what we've been lacking. I asked them on Thursday night to be confident in themselves, trust each other, trust me and trust the club and that's huge. I think they got the message.

"We spoke about our targets for the second quarter. I told them to forget about the first quarter, we've got six points and let's move on, and I think that's a massive step."

One player who actually managed to nail down a spot in the side during that sticky spell was John Guthrie, and he was praised by his manager following the win. In and out of the team in pre-season, he made most of his appearances earlier in the season in the middle of midfield, but has now made the right back berth his own with his energetic overlapping runs, efficient use of the ball and tenacious tackling.

Waddell said: "I've known John since he was wee. He can play anywhere and he gives you honesty. He's got an honest shift in him, old-school. He works so hard and is good on the ball and he's still young, and a young player that I believe in a lot."