Loss of concentration led to Ross Sutherland throwing away lead against Moray in Caledonia North Two
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Ross Sutherland were left wondering what might have been after letting a lead slip away against Moray.
At one stage in the first half the Stags were 12–0 ahead, only for the visitors to turn the match around in Invergordon and win 20–15.
Although Moray are now top of Caledonia North Two, it was a game that Ross Sutherland would have fancied their chances of winning, especially at their Naval Grounds home.
So it was a frustrating outcome for them last weekend, and one that club captain Tom Bannerman reckons they only have themselves to blame for.
“We started really strongly,” he insisted.
“We were in the right mindset, the warm-up for the game was good, morale was high, and I think after the first 20 minutes things were going our way.
“I don’t think Moray really changed their game, I think we were off the ball a little bit – our minds were somewhere else – and we let it slip away from us.
“I think people were getting over-confident and trying things they shouldn’t have done.
“We should have just stuck to our gameplan, and then once we were on the back foot I think we were on the back foot for the rest of the game. Really, we shouldn’t have let ourselves get into that position.
“It’s a shame, because I really think we had it under control and we let it slip through our fingers.”
The defeat means that Ross Sutherland have lost their opening two matches of the campaign, and even though it is early in the season Bannerman already has the feeling that issues need to be dealt with.
“We started training on Tuesday with a bit of a debrief where we addressed these issues,” he said.
“I think that’s the best way forward, because we can highlight what’s gone wrong. We did drills that will prevent heads going down, and if we do panic we’ll know how to come back from it.
“After losing two on the trot, I think morale is going to be really sensitive at the moment, so it’s really a make or break week.
“People are worried that this season maybe won’t be the best, but we’re only two games in – we’ve got a long way to go.”
