THERE were differing emotions in the dugout as Irvine Meadow claimed victory in the 100th Marymass Derby.
It was an 80th victory in the annual clash for the blue side of the town as the home team earned a 2-0 win on Friday in front of a crowd well in excess of 1,000.
Goals either side of half-time from Larry McMahon and trialist Danny Wilson, of Shortlees Amateurs, were enough to claim the bragging rights.
Though that only told part of the story with Meadow goalkeeper Chris Calder called into action on a number of occasions.
That included saving a late penalty from Sam Trousdale, with the score at 2-0, which squashed any hopes of a late Vics comeback.
“We’ve obviously got an eye on the Scottish Cup game so we had a lot of boys that would usually play that didn’t," stand-in manager Ryan Caddis commented, after taking the team with Jamie McKim absent whilst in hospital following an operation.
“We got minutes into the legs of some of the boys who needed it, we brought in a few trialists and a couple of under 20s.
“It was just a matter of getting the win tonight for the fans, we know how big a game this is for the town.
“We know how much it means to them, so we gave it as much respect as it needed.
“We’re buzzing for the fans and the club. The last time we played at home we lost it so it’s good to keep it.”
Caddis was also happy to get a look at seven trialists, though that included himself, over the course of the evening.
He added: “It gives you a look at boys you might not get the opportunity to get a look at for as many minutes throughout the season.
“The trialists that came in down well, the boys who needed the minutes done well as well.
“There’s food for thought, we will see what happens.”
On the other hand, Vics boss Ben Carson was impressed by his side's display despite failing to get the victory at Meadow Park.
He commented: “I’m extremely proud of our boys, I thought the effort they put in was outstanding. They knocked their pan in until the very end.
“We miss a penalty but, for me, we should have had another three. Sometimes you need the rub of the green.
“Give Meadow their respect, they put a strong side out against us. Even the boys they brought in were strong players. We knew it was going to be hard.”
Carson says his team will now carry forward positive aspects from the performance.
He added: “We tried to drop into that shape and frustrate them, which we did. We’ve lost a daft goal and a cross that has went all the way in. We created a few chances ourselves as well.
“We have had a few question marks over us this year in terms of being young and not having that dig about us.
“I thought we had that, but we’ve not won the game so you’re disappointed, but we realise the gap.
“I know how much the game means to everyone. We’re disappointed we’ve not won it but we’ll pick the positives out."
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