Peterhead manager Jim McInally was delighted that his players adapted to tricky conditions at Dumbarton and secured a 1-0 win that lifted them into the top half of the table.
Ben Armour cracked in the winner early in the second half to leave McInally saying: “We tried to play a passing game but the pitch was fiery and the players had to adapt. That meant we had to try and get the ball in-behind their defence and try to turn them.”
“That affected the quality of the game but we deserved the win and it was a brilliant goal from Ben to win it.”
Jim added: “It was a luxury to have nine substitutes available and I used five of them. Managing games now is different as you have so many in quick succession that you have to do an extra layer of thinking before you put someone on and take someone off.”
“I took Simon Ferry off and that is not something I often do but he has hardly played recently and some of the other boys are the same.”
The Balmoor manager was pleased with his side’s defensive showing as he added: “I like what Andy MacDonald has brought to the team since in the couple of games he has played. It look likes Jason Brown and him are forming a nice partnership and we will look to make more of that.”
Hamish Ritchie and Armour combined for the goal and that also received praise with Jim saying: “Hamish did well again in what was only his second game for us. He is really comfortable on the ball and he is making a great impression here.”
“Ben has a decent goal scoring record and he always makes an impact when he plays however we need to ensure that he stays fit. We are managing him differently now and that is helping.”
The Blue Toon return to action against Clyde tomorrow with Jim looking for a third win in a row and reach the first points target he set his players when the season started.
Jim said: “I felt at the start of the season that 22 points could be the number required to avoid relegation this season. We are three off that now and if we can grab another win then we can look higher. I believe that we are good enough to push for the top half but we will sort other issues out first.”
Match Highlights are here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-JH1gJH2a0
