Keith manager Craig Ewen labels his side underdogs for Scottish Cup tie with Cumnock Juniors
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KEITH manager Craig Ewen is expecting a tough task when the Maroons welcome Ayrshire side Cumnock Juniors to Kynoch Park in the Scottish Cup first round.
Ewen’s side head into tomorrow’s cup clash on good form, having beaten Forres Mechanics and Formartine United in back-to-back league games, and he hopes they can keep that up when they welcome Cumnock north.
“It’s a case of building on the last couple of results and if we can take that performance level into this game then we will have a chance,” he said.
“I’m expecting a hard game but we want to carry on our recent form.
“I’m aware the game is full of ups and downs but at the minute I feel like we are on the up and have good momentum, although not having a game on Saturday probably didn’t help.”
Ewen believes Keith will be underdogs when they host Cumnock, who are fourth in the West of Scotland Premier League.
“Cumnock will be favourites,” he said. “That league is very, very strong. We had a similar game against Darvel and it was tough.
“I’m expecting them to come up full of energy, with a scattering of players from senior level.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they took a couple of buses up, too, as they’re a well-supported club.
“You never know on the day. It’s a one-off and we’ll give it our all and see if it’s enough.
“It’s another one we’ll be big underdogs in, but if we keep it tight and try to counter we have a chance.”
Keith have won their fair share of Scottish Cup ties in the last few years – with a tight 2-1 defeat against Darvel at Kynoch Park ending last season’s cup dream.
“Darvel probably should have been out of sight in that one, but we made it competitive and difficult for them and even had a chance late on to go 2-2,” Ewen recalled.
“Scottish Cup matches are always ones that players are desperate to be involved in and get through a couple of rounds, with the dream scenario of getting to the fourth round and getting a big club.”
Keith were due to have Cumnock – who were knocked out of last season’s Scottish Cup by Formartine – watched at the weekend, but all games across Scotland were called off.
The Maroons will be without a number of players for tomorrow’s match.
Kieran Yeats is still out injured, along with Liam Duncan and Nick Gray. Tom Andrews is away and unavailable.
