KILWINNING Rangers boss Chris Strain says he is delighted by his side's response to their first defeat of the season.
After falling at the hands of Beith last weekend, the Buffs were back on form as they ran out 5-1 winners away to Gretna 2008 on Saturday.
First half goals from Carlo Monti, Danny O'Neil and Robbie Scullion has the visitors cruising at the break before Bryan Boylan added to the advantage following the restart.
The hosts did grab a 90th minute consolation goal though there was still time for Lewis Morrison to ensure it was Kilwinning who rounded of the scoring and picked up three Lowland League West points in emphatic fashion.
“We played well," Strain commented. "We knocked the ball about with a bit of confidence and scored five goals which is always pleasing.
“The disappointment is just conceding close to the end of the game, we’d have like to have kept a clean sheet.
“But we performed, probably, as well as we have since the start of the season so there is lots to be pleased about.”
The Buffs Park boss says he has been pleased with his side's start to the season though he remains frustrated that they could not make it a perfect four wins from four after last week's loss at home to Beith.
Strain added: “We’re disappointed to lose any game of football and the one against Beith still rankles a wee bit.
“But, ultimately, we’ve got nine points out of 12 which is not a bad start. We’ve played two teams which we’ve never played before, away from home, which presents its own challenges.”
Though he said Saturday was a perfect remedy for his side following the setback.
He continued: “You need adversity, you need to see what the response is when you have difficult moments.
“The response was very good on Saturday, and during the week as well. We realised we didn’t play as well as we can and put a tough week in on the training ground.
“The boys listened to what we had to say and they went and implemented that on Saturday.
“That’s pleasing, you need that type of response. I’ve got no gripes about it, sometimes you learn more in defeat than from winning. It was good to put it to bed.”
Strain is looking forward to being able to put the Beith performance right in Kilwinning's next home league match against Albion Rovers on Tuesday, August 18 (7.45pm KO).
Though he says thoughts must first go to his side's opening South Challenging Cup tie away to Port Glasgow on Saturday (August 15, 2pm KO).
He said: “We’re away in the cup this weekend which gives us a break from league duty. We play the following midweek against Albion Rovers, at home, which gives us an opportunity to right the wrongs of the Beith game at Buffs Park.
“Though we need to concentrate on Saturday and give Port Glasgow the respect they are due, go out and put in a good performance again.
“We want to progress in the cups. A lot of the time people ask you if you’re bothered or if you’re going to rotate.
“Every competition that we enter this year, we want to do as well as we possibly can in it, that means trying to win it.
“We need to make sure that we are focussed on the game. Despite Port Glasgow being a couple of leagues below us, I know they’ve got some good players and they’ll present us problems.”
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