ABERDOUR head coach Lisa MacColl believes that there are positives the club's young side can take after being knocked out of the Camanachd Cup.
The Mowi South Division One team welcomed National Division Inveraray to Silver Sands in the first round on Saturday, and were on the end of a heavy nine-goal defeat.
Ewan Donnan, who netted a brace, set the visitors on their way in the seventh minute, with Lewis Montgomery, Fraser Watt and Alexander Mckinlay also adding doubles, in addition to Campbell Watt's effort.
Three of Inveraray's goals came inside the final 10 minutes and, despite the scoreline, MacColl felt there were encouraging signs for her side, who lost 3-1 at home to Glasgow Mid Argyll in the league seven days prior.
"It was always going to be a tough game," she told Press Sport.
"As it was a cup game, we decided that it was a good chance to try a few things. It's not a cup we had our eyes set on, but it's always good to play games and better teams.
"We started really well and actually created the first really clear chance. Logan (Adams) was just too close; he caught it on the volley and put it over the bar.
"Until Inveraray scored, it looked like it was going to be a really good game. The difference was that we maybe lacked that experience at the back, but we know that.
"We can learn a lot from that, but also our forwards could watch their forwards. Inveraray gave us a lesson in how you can play up front with short, quick balls on that sort of surface.
"Our forwards produced a lot of good forward play but were just unable to finish. We tested their goalkeeper on a good few occasions, but that will come.
"The play was there."
MacColl felt that the loss of goals towards the end was harsh on her side, continuing: "There are positives to take, like our link-up play and challenging for the ball.
"We were playing a team that play in the national league week in, week out, and have players that have played in higher leagues as well.
"Despite the scoreline, there are positives to take, like how we played as a team.
"We just got beaten by a better team on the day who play at a higher level. It's something for us to aspire to."
This Saturday, Aberdour's first team are in Macaulay Cup first round action, at home to Bute, where throw-up is at 3pm.
The seconds are also at home, in the first round of the Bullough Cup, against Oban Celtic, which has a 12pm start at Silver Sands.
Meanwhile, Aberdour's ladies picked up their first win of the WCA (Women's Camanachd Association) Mowi National Division season on Sunday.
They twice came from behind to defeat Dunadd 4-2, with Rebecca Thorington's hat-trick adding to Katie Booth's effort, and MacColl added: "The women's team have struggled to get going.
"They've had players missing, some with long-term injuries and work commitments, but through links with St Andrews University, we managed to get four girls, who have now signed and committed to the team, which is a big boost to us.
"Sunday was the first time they played together, and the first team this season we've been able to put out a team with substitutes.
"We created a lot of chances and won 4-2. Their goalkeeper played very well and kept them in the game in the second half, and it was good to see our girls adapting to the new players."
This Sunday, Aberdour host Skye at Silver Sands, with throw-up at 12pm.
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