Forfar boss Jim Weir is looking for his players to build on what he described as the best 45 minutes produced by any team he has managed when they face East Fife tomorrow.
A depleted Loons squad travelled to face Paul Hartley’s full-time Championship outfit Falkirk in the Betfred Cup on Tuesday night with the League 1 outfit completely dominating the first half.
However, they could not translate that superiority into goals, missing a penalty and hitting the woodwork, with the Bairns scoring two in the second half to win the contest.
Weir though took plenty of positives from what was his new-look side’s first competitive action of the season and is hoping to get the result their play deserves at New Bayview tomorrow afternoon.
The manager said: “We played really well at Falkirk and I think the first half was as good a 45 minutes I have witnessed from any team I have managed.
“We didn’t quite get our rewards from it but to be fair to Paul Hartley and (Falkirk assistant boss) Gordon Young, they were very complimentary about how we played.
“They felt fortunate that they went in level at the break.
“We were unlucky in the second half losing a poor goal at a time when we were still in control.
“That knocked us a wee bit as we had put a lot into the game.
“I am always disappointed when we lose a game but I think the players took a lot from the performance.
“The challenge now is to continue getting that level of performance in the games ahead.
“We lost the game but we need to take the positives into Sunday’s match at East Fife.
“We still see these cup ties as very much part of pre-season albeit they have a competitive edge to them.
“They are important to get everyone game time and work towards our best formation and starting XI at the start of the season.”
Weir was only able to name two outfield replacements against Falkirk but he is hoping to have more options to choose from against East Fife.
He said: “We went to Falkirk with a really depleted squad with only two fit subs and they were kids.
“But John Baird is back from suspension along with Eddie Malone who missed out as his wife has just had a baby.
“Matty Aitken and Michael Kennedy are still out.
“I am also still trying to add one or two to the squad.”
