EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY head coach Dougie Samuel has always been of the opinion that a life without challenge is tedious, but even he must be somewhat frustrated by the problems which have afflicted his side so far this term.
As the University gear up for tomorrow's Image Printers Cup second-round tie with Lothian Thistle they have suffered postponements, an abandonment, short and long-term injuries along with the usual student unavailability because of foreign travel, wo
rk commitments and the fact that they have not yet returned to their academic studies.
"I have to admit that it has been a bit of a stop-start beginning, although now we are starting to build up a bit of momentum," said Samuel. "It has not only been weekends but also managing training schedules where we have had to be very creative. Attendances have been mixed but we are fast approaching the stage of reality." The students have managed to complete two games, a 3-2 victory against Gala Fairydean in the first round of the Image Printers Cup and a 0-0 draw last Saturday away to Coldstream in the Premier Division.
"We did not play very well, especially in the first half against Coldstream, although I do not want to take anything away from them because they were very motivated and determined to do well," said Samuel.
"Because we finished as runners up in the Premier Division last season I think that we are now being regarded as a scalp."
Last season Lothian defeated the students at Peffermill towards the end of the campaign, a result which effectively ended their chance of being crowned as champions for the first time in their history.
"We always look forward because there is nothing to be gained from looking backwards," stressed Samuel.
"That was a completely different squad of players and the club has now moved from aspirations to expectations as there is a different climate within the football club.
"Lothian Thistle are a good footballing side and like us they are going through a period of transition. We always look forward to playing against Lothian because they like to play the ball on the carpet. However, our focus is on our own team as we try to make sure that we have a final blend. We are unbeaten this season and would like to be in the draw for the next round come four o'clock tomorrow afternoon."
A boost for Samuel has been the return to fitness of defender Alastair MacKinnon, while 18-year-old goalkeeper Mark Tait recorded his first clean sheet at the weekend. Chris Woods could be in the squad after some light training this week although Steven Maxwell, Jack Beesley, Mark Molloy, Fraser Munro and Peder Beck-Friis all miss out.
Meanwhile, Lothian Thistle's new management duo of Allan O'Neill and Charles McAleavy, who moved in the close season from Liberton Boys Club Under-21s, are relishing life in the East of Scotland League.
"We had been in charge of one of the best under-21 teams in the area having won the league title for the past four seasons," said O'Neill.
"The players were all reaching an age when they were ineligible to play at under-21 level so, when we were approached by Lothian Thistle to see if we were interested in taking over, we said yes.
"We are a young team and we wanted to keep as many of the boys together as possible. We are certainly enjoying the start we have made and the standard of football from ourselves and our opponents has been excellent.
"Everybody wants to try to play football on the deck and that has meant some cracking games."
Among the players who moved from Liberton are defenders Jim Young and Tom Lowrie, while midfielders Daniel McAleavy, Charles McAleavy and Paul Scales were also attracted to playing in the East of Scotland League.
"We have high hopes for these players and last week we signed goalkeeper Kevin Swain who was at Lothian as well as Whitehill Welfare before he joined Links United."
Lothian have lost two of their opening three fixtures, including a 2-1 reversal against Edinburgh City last Saturday.
"That was a real smash and grab for City," sighed O'Neill. "We were so much on top that if it had been a boxing match the game would have been stopped. I don't think I have ever been involved in such a one-sided contest because it could easily have been 6-2 to us.
"We scored early and were all over them but missed easy chances. I had my players texting me on Saturday night apologising for not putting the ball in the net! However, that proves to me that the boys have the right attitude and that is a good sign."
Lothian will be without Phil O'Neill, who has a back injury, although Mark Lothian and Kevin Sivewright are both fit.
The action kicks off at Peffermill at 2.30pm with admission £3 for adults and concessions £1.
The full article contains 849 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
