Elgin City look to continue undefeated William Hill League 2 start at Spartans as manager Allan Hale says his team’s ability to adapt has resulted in strong away record
Adaptability will be the key for Elgin City in their efforts to extend their undefeated start to the League 2 campaign.
City will aim to go a club record ten league matches without defeat when they head for the capital tomorrow to take on Spartans.
The Black and Whites sit second in their division after four wins and five draws in the first quarter of the campaign, and a vast improvement on their results on the road have been an integral part in their success.
So far in the league, Allan Hale’s side has managed three cleans sheets in their five away trips, conceding just two goals in 1-1 draws at Stranraer and Forfar.
They won 1-0 at Peterhead in their last outing a fortnight ago and Hale would dearly love to see his men continue their good form on their travels this weekend.
While Elgin’s five away matches have produced a total of just six goals, their four home clashes have been more open and attacking affairs with no clean sheets and a total of 17 goals shared between the Moray side and their opponents.
“You have to adapt the way you play away from home,” said manager Hale. “At home you are expecting to be on the front foot and maybe be a little bit more open in terms of your style and approach to games.
“When you go away from home, there’s some games where you have to adapt somewhat and maybe be a bit more conservative, understanding that we are the away team and we are expected to come under pressure, facing up to a home crowd as well as our opponents.
“There’s certainly an element of that from game to game but we also know we are a side that’s capable of keeping clean sheets.”
That defensive effort will be bolstered by the return of experienced former manager Ross Draper, who served a one-match ban against Peterhead after being sent off in the 3-3 draw with Edinburgh City.
Hale has been employing captain Brian Cameron in a central defensive role on occasions but is likely to opt for Draper to return to the starting eleven alongside Jack Murray and Jake Dolzanski in a defensive three.
“Outside of three games of the season, the clean sheets we have kept this season is pleasing,” Hale added. “It highlights we are really strong defensively and we are on 14 goals in nine games which is a decent return.
“The counter argument from many people is that our forward players aren’t contributing to the goals tally but it shows we have goals spread amongst the team and once our strikers do start firing then hopefully we will continue to improve.”
Thirteen players have contributed to City’s 20 goals tally in all competitions this term, with midfielder Russell Dingwall the leading marksman on five, followed by centre back Murray on four.
Front men Dajon Golding, Dylan Gavin, Ryan Sargent and Olly McDonald have managed just two league goals between them.
