Cumnock clash is a chance for 'bruised' Gartcairn to bounce back from Beith defeat, says boss

Gartcairn boss Mick Dunlop says his side must bounce back from a bruising defeat when they host Cumnock on Friday night.

The Airdrie club have played only one other game this month, losing 2-1 at home to Beith on December 13, in a game that Dunlop feels they could have taken more from.

But a couple of friendly victories has restored confidence in his group, and he’s looking to capitalise against a side that sit a place and a point behind in eighth place of the West of Scotland Premier Division, but with Gartcairn having a game in hand over their visitors.

Dunlop said: “We managed to get a couple of friendlies in on Saturday and Wednesday because we had only one game in December.

“It was important to get a couple of extra games under our belt, just to keep us ticking over, and give guys who hadn’t been playing the opportunity to get some game-time. It was really good.

“Cumnock got a new manager in recently and their results have improved as well.

“It’s like any game in this league; on the day or the night you’re going to need to be right at it to win.

“They’re only one spot below us, but whether you’re playing a team at the top or a team at the bottom, you need to be right at it or you’re going to get found out. That’s the key for us.”

Dunlop added: “The Beith game was a sore one for us. I think over the whole game a draw would probably have been fair, but ultimately it’s about taking chances when you get them.

“We had chances, we never took them and fair play to them, they were clinical. Those are the fine margins.

“The good thing is we got the friendlies. It’s not competitive games, you’re not getting three points for it, but I think getting back, playing a couple of friendlies and winning both of them gets us back into that mind-set, which is invaluable.

“It’s really important, when you have your next competitive game, that you bounce back.

“I have every confidence in the players to do that.”

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