Scottish Cup heartache for Annan
I'm beginning to think that we at Annan Athletic have a bit of a Scottish Cup jinx hanging over us.
Thinking back on our attempts to qualify for the competition over the years, before we became an SFL club, I remember far more disappointment than celebration.
In those days we used to have to qualify via the aptly named Qualifying Cup. We had to reach the semi-final stage to reach the first round proper.
When I joined the club, late in the year of 1997, we were preparing to visit Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup third round.
Although I knew I wouldn't be involved (I hadn't even played a game at that time) I was still very envious when my mates left me behind.
It was made easier as I told myself I would be involved in many a game like the Inverness one. Well, I've managed only two in my 12 years - against Brechin City in 2000 and then against Morton in 2006.
Here I am in 2009 and I'm sitting waiting for news of the when Annan Athletic's name will be missing once again. 
And being brutally honest it has left me with a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach since the final whistle .
Too many times over the years we have let ourselves down by either not performing or thinking games were won when the truth was the hard work was only beginning.
I dread to think how much money we have cost the club in my time here. It's quite ironic that we were watching a film called on the bus to the game because that's exactly what it felt like after the full-time whistle.
Make no mistake, we should have been professional and experienced enough to see that game off with a bit to spare.
I don't mean to be disrespectful to Cove as I'm sure they would have said the same had they been in our position. One goal up and a man advantage, I'm sorry but we should never have lost and the blame lies firmly at the feet of us players on the pitch.
We had the opportunities to put the game to bed before the equaliser but, as has been our main problem this season, we simply didn't take our chances.
Craig Sommersgill has already taken the blame for the two bad errors that ultimately cost us our place in the next round.
Big Sommers has to live with that and the fact he might now be out of the team, but I hope the rest of us are looking at ourselves because the game should have been wrapped up and we wouldn't have had to worry about errors at the other end.
I was at Stranraer with the reserves on Tuesday night and we had the same problem as we drew 2-2 to drop our first points in four games.
Honestly, some of the chances we missed were truly incredible. I suppose the good thing is that we are at least creating chances and when that stops we really do have a problem on our hands.
Another disappointment to come out of our defeat at the weekend was that we didn't get to enjoy the homemade tablet of Granny Anson.
I've mentioned before that the worst player at training has to bring in biscuits for the boys at the next session. It was Scott Anson's turn last week (long overdue, by the way) and he produced amazing tablet that his granny had made.
She sent him up to Cove with another batch on the condition we only got to enjoy it if we won.
We know how that turned out but at least I know who I'm voting for biscuits this week.
Finally, I'm making my debut at the racing this weekend and being honest, I haven't a clue about the horses.
I'm not a betting man at all so I'll be sticking 50p on the ones named after my missus and wearing fancy outfits! In saying that if anyone has any tips for , you know how to reach me!
Hi there, I'm Chris Jardine, midfielder with Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic. I hope, throughout the season, I can give you a good insight into life at the newest Scottish League club and maybe even a few laughs along the way.
Comment number 1.
At 29th Oct 2009, tomtomtom66 wrote:Sorry Chris, absolute nonsense there as i dont remember Annan having any clear cut chances to 'wrap the game up' prior to the equaliser. Perhaps one the keeper saved with his legs but off target shots from 20 yards and headers while under pressure dont count in my book.
In my eyes you underestimated Cove once down to 10 men and they moved ball quicker after that and there only looked like one winner in the second half!
Best of luck the rest of the season however.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 30th Oct 2009, Craig wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 6th Nov 2009, Chris Jardine wrote:tomtomtom66 - I'm afraid we will have to agree to disagree with regards to chances we had to go further ahead in the game. Perhaps we have different opinions on clear cut chances but I certainly felt we were in good enough positions before the equaliser to increase our lead. That being said my main issue on our performance was that we weren't good enough to go on and win the match and that was the most frustrating thing for me. Without a doubt Cove fully deserved their win and I wish you and your team good luck in the next round against Stenhousemuir. I hope I've not put you off reading my column in the future!! All the best.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)