Published: Thursday, 8th May, 2008 12:25
'You're a disgrace', Rosyth boss tells juniors players
By Sports editor, Simon Harris
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Action from Kelty Hearts' 2-2 draw at home to Linlithgow Rose.
Pic by: Dunfermline Press
FURIOUS Rosyth boss Paul Mooney has delivered a blistering attack on his players after a 6-1 home defeat on Saturday condemned them to relegation from the Premier League.
Mooney branded his players a “disgrace to the club” after the rout against Newtongrange Star and launched a major clear-out for next season.
Mooney told Press Sport six or seven players would be leaving the club in the summer after criticising their attitude and discipline in what had been a must-win game for the Recs.
Kieran Gratton had put Rosyth 1-0 up and Dean Ogg nearly made it two on the stroke of half-time but collided with a post and had to go off.
Brian Vaughan was also forced off with an ankle injury and keeper Joe Houston had to play up front but Mooney insisted that was no excuse for the second-half collapse.
“The whole attitude of the players was really poor. As soon as they went 2-1 down they just accepted defeat,” Mooney blazed.
“It was a disgrace and I have told them they are a disgrace to the club.
“My mind is made up 100 per cent. Saturday was a big, big game for us. We would have still been relegated because Arniston won but the players didn’t know that and they needed to win what was a big game.
“But from the first minute to last minute they didn’t look hungry enough or desperate enough to get the result.
"It just looked like they had accepted that Rosyth Recreation would be relegated.
“Newtongrange could have been in double figures if it wasn’t for the keeper.
“It just sums up the season for Rosyth. It was a shocking performance. The discipline was poor, the attitude was poor and the overall performance was just really poor and a major clear-out is needed.”
Mooney has already agreed terms with five new players for next season and is likely to complete a further two signings this week.
“I’m going to try to get a few boys in and speak to a few players about moving on,” he said.
“Between now and the end of the season I’ll look at a few trialists to see what they are made of and some under-21 guys to see if they are good enough.”
It was another miserable day for Oakley United, who fell through the Super League trapdoor last weekend and were beaten 4-2 at Arbroath SC on Saturday in the shock of the Redwood Leisure Cup second round.
“It’s disappointing again to say the least and the end of the season can’t come quick enough,” was candid boss Willie Newbigging’s frank assessment.
“I wish that was it but we’ve got two games at Glenrothes and Lochee to get out of the way first before we can take stock.”
Oakley were under-strength once again and had to play goalkeeper Steven Stewart outfield because he was their only fit substitute and 47-year-old assistant Dougie Russell.
Colin Burke gave them the lead but Oakley went 3-1 down before former Pars player Patrick Halpin pulled one back.
However, Arbroath clinched the win with a goal that looked to be well offside leaving Newbigging to add, “That’s been the story of our season.
"When you’re down there struggling it does go against you and you feel every decision personally.”
Goals from Dennis Currie and Tam McGeorge, on his debut, gave Kelty Hearts a 2-2 draw at home to Linlithgow in the Super League with Hearts having a last-minute effort cleared off the line.
Crossgates Primrose won 4-0 at Lochore Welfare on Monday night to book an away tie with Thornton Hibs in the third round of the Maloco + associates Cup thanks to two goals from Stuart Innes, one from Garry Paterson and an own goal.
Steelend were beaten 4-0 at home by Thornton on the same night in the Central League.
Saturday fixtures: Whyte & Mackay East Super League – Kelty Hearts v Bonnyrigg Rose. Whyte & Mackay East Premier League – Rosyth Recreation v Dundee North End. Fife & Lothians Cup, third round – Crossgates Primrose v Linlithgow Rose. (kick-offs 2.30pm).
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Pars rule out standing at East End Park