Johnstone Burgh “lacked ruthlessness in front of goal” before progressing to the second round of the West of Scotland League Cup.
Murdo MacKinnon’s Premier Division troops ran out comfortable 5-1 winners in the end against Third Division Vale of Leven at Keanie Park on Saturday. But the Renfrewshire men didn’t have things all their own way.
Doubles from Aaron Mason and Kenzie McCrystal along with a Darren Christie strike ensured Burgh stepped over a cup banana skin.
However, gaffer MacKinnon wasn’t too pleased with his side’s performance which included going a goal down inside the opening 10 minutes.
He admitted getting through to the next round was what mattered but recognises there is room for improvement. Speaking to the club’s media team, he said: “It is a cup tie so the important thing is getting through to the next round of the cup.
“We have been on the opposite end of slip-ups before so it was important that we went out and got the result. Performance-wise, we could have started the game much better.
“We were frustrating at times but Vale of Leven did well to frustrate us. At half-time we asked them to stretch the pitch as we had loads of the ball but were a bit slow. At times, I thought we were a wee bit static at the top of the pitch as well.
“We did create opportunities in the first half but I think we just lacked a little bit of ruthlessness – we need to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal.”
Young development player McCrystal received high praise from his manager for coming in and “making an impact” on the game. The youngster came on as a substitute at 2-1 to bag a brace before Christie scored in the dying embers of the contest.
MacKinnon applauded McCrystal for his attitude – and says he wants the Keanie Park stars of tomorrow to prove they deserve an opportunity at playing in the top-team level.
“It was brilliant for him coming in,” he said. “You are asking young players to come in and I want them to make an impact, to stand out.
“I want them to show that they should be here and what they are all about. Kenzie had three opportunities and one whistled over the bar. He scored the other two. He did show a ruthlessness and his finishes were excellent.”
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