Jim Goodwin was full of praise for Annan Athletic after the part-timers made the Dons work very hard for their win at Galabank tonight.
“We prepared properly for the game, we travelled down last night, but for all of that preparation, you can still have a hard game. I have to give enormous credit to Annan Athletic. I thought they were excellent. Their fitness levels surprised us considering they are a part-time team, so I think Peter Murphy and his players deserve huge credit.
“The first 45 minutes was very flat for us, we lacked creativity, we didn’t have enough ideas in the final third. We’ve spoken about the competition for places we have and the quality in the squad and today was a good example where I could make good changes in the attacking areas. Jonny and Ryan made good contributions and Duk was excellent again. His last three performances have shown signs of the quality he can bring to the team.
“We knew it would be tricky, it’s a difficult venue, very tight and Annan have nothing to lose. I’ve been there myself in the past with Alloa, you don’t have any pressure, no expectations and you can just throw the kitchen sink at the game and if you get a goal, it’s game on.
“We’d highlighted set plays and counter-attacks before the game as the only way we saw them scoring but unfortunately, we conceded from a set play. Great delivery in, disappointed in our marking, and a great header from their captain. I can’t complain, they deserved to take the game to extra-time with their overall performance but our quality and our fitness levels told in the end.
“As in any round of the cup, what matters is putting yourself in the draw for the next round. We’ve done that, we’re in the quarter-finals, and that is extremely pleasing. If you’d offered me a scruffy 1-0 before the game I would have taken it, and it looked like we might get that too. I was disappointed to concede late on and have to go to extra-time to win it, but we got there in the end, which is what matters.”
With the transfer window about to close, Goodwin was clear that there is no pressing need for Aberden to enter the market unless the right player becomes available.
“We don’t need to be too busy before the transfer deadline. We’ve spoken about one or two options but we’ve got a very strong squad at present. We’ve got Connor Barron to come back from injury too, Callum Roberts is another, so there’s no real urgency for us to add to what we have for the sake of it.”
“We don’t need to be too busy before the transfer deadline. We’ve spoken about one or two options but we’ve got a very strong squad at present. We’ve got Connor Barron to come back from injury too, Callum Roberts is another, so there’s no real urgency for us to add to what we have for the sake of it.”
