Caledonian Braves boss rues first half chance at East Kilbride, as he insists gap in standard isn't huge

Ricky Waddell reflected on a resolute rearguard action from his side - and a big opportunity missed

Caledonian Braves boss Ricky Waddell was frustrated to only take a point from Lowland League frontrunners East Kilbride after a derby day stalemate.

The Motherwell outfit produced a resolute display to limit the leaders to little at K-Park, but it was Braves who passed up the biggest chance of the game when Jamie Watson failed to capitalise on a loose pass from EK goalkeeper Matty Connelly in his own box late in the first half.

Eleventh-place Braves ran Kilby close earlier in the season when EK came from 1-0 down to win 2-1, and Waddell was frustrated that his side didn't show more composure on the ball and in front of goal to take more than just a point home.

He said: "I felt we could have been so much better on the ball. We were so untidy.

"The turnover of the ball, the transition, is massive at our level and I didn't think we were very good at that today.

"We normally are good on the counter-attack, finding a free player, keeping the ball. We didn't do that well, but I felt we deserved the point because we knew what the game was going to be today; let's battle and scratch for every little moment. I can only commend the lads for doing that.

"We always look for improvement and I think that's the area where we could be better.

"I am never comfortable sitting at the side not having a lot of the ball, I never feel good about that, but if we were going to score today it was always going to rely on us pressing really well.

"We felt our shape was good and we tried to control the game as best we could without having the ball, forcing them into areas and putting pressure on them.

"We did do that and a good example is Jamie's opportunity, which comes from a loose pass.

"It is a glorious chance for Jamie and, nine times out of 10, he would normally score that, but it just wasn't to be."

Having run Kilby close once again, Waddell reckons that despite the financial disparity between the two sides, he doesn't feel there is a gulf.

He added: "You look at it and think it's a point against East Kilbride. They have spent loads of money, we have spent nothing near it so it is a good point.

"But I don't think the gap in standard in the league is that huge.

"There were good things we did in the game. I'm not being negative, I'm just looking at things we can improve on.

"I just didn't think a bit of composure was required."

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