Elgin City head to Stranraer as manager is encouraged by recent performances in League Two
MANAGER Allan Hale says Elgin City are starting to live up to the qualities that they are capable of following a difficult start to the League Two campaign.
Elgin picked up their first league win of the campaign as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Stirling Albion at Borough Briggs last weekend.
Russell Dingwall gave Elgin the lead before half time before Josh Walker doubled their advantage in the 73rd minute. Five minutes later, Kane Hester scored with a sensational effort to kill the game off and give City their first win of the season. The win saw Elgin move up to seventh place in the table on five points and nine points clear of Edinburgh City at the foot of the table.
Elgin head south to Stranraer on Saturday looking for their second win of the campaign.
He hopes that improving form as the season has progressed will result in more points.
He said: “I think everyone can see the performances have been good. And more so the last month, I think we've been much more like ourselves.
“As I said, defensively, we're a lot more solid. We're not giving up the chances that we were giving up at the start of the season.
“I think having a settled back five now is helping with that.
“I think there was a lot of changes at the start of the season with injuries and suspension.
“People missing, people getting up to fitness, which meant that we couldn't get that kind of consistency that you need in that defensive unit.
“I think it's one goal conceded now in four or five games, that's good because that's what you need to be.
“You need to be defensively solid, and we were for large parts of last season.
“We've got a really good balance about the team at the moment, which is exciting and a really good dip to the bench as well. I think momentum is key in football. Confidence is key in football.”
Hale hopes that more positive scorelines will results in larger crowds coming to Borough Briggs for forthcoming home games, saying a good crowd can make the difference.
He said: “It can be easy when you're losing to be negative and critical and decide to stay away. You know, we can't control people's choice.You know, there's also a cost of living crisis at the moment, and it's expensive for people to come and watch the team. We understand that, but we appreciate all the support we can get.
It's great when Borough Briggs brings the atmosphere they brought where the supporters are behind the team right from the start.
“And the noise that brings, not only does it give confidence to our team on the pitch, it can sometimes be enough to unsettle the opposition.
“We're creating opportunities, when the crowd make the noise and we get that roar.
Sometimes it can be enough to keep the opposition unsettled.
“And it allows us to stay on the front foot and have that sustained period of pressure.
“I think we've got enough to be excited about. I've got so much trust and belief in these players.I think we've got a good identity. I think we play good football and, as we've shown in the last four or five games, we can compete and do the physical side and defend our box with aggression and the determination that we need to keep clean sheets.”