GUTTED Sauchie star Iain Syme says the whole dressing room is hurting from their shock Scottish Cup exit and 3-1 defeat at Largs Thistle last weekend.

The talented full back says the loss was the fault of the entire team, and reckons the defeat was so shattering because they were on the brink of an unlikely comeback when Largs notched the killer third goal.

Syme told Advertiser sport, “Last weekend was massively disappointing for us all and we are all still sick about our performance. We had prepared well for the game off the back of a superb win over Lochee, but to lose two goals inside the first 13 minutes just threw us and the game plan went out the window.

“After that, we never really got back to our game and just resorted to frantic high balls that were no use in the windy conditions. This meant that we were missing out the players who could have done some damage for us in the final third and I think that was the key.

“At half time, we got the hair dryer treatment from the manager, but it was no more than we deserved. We came out second half and fought our way back into the match, got our goal and they get a man sent off. So we had the momentum and everything looked to be going in our favour, but I think that is why the third goal was so devastating to us.

“It is a goal out of nothing after there keeper had made some excellent saves, so it was a real sucker punch. It was a real sore one to take. all of their goals were easily defendable and I think that is the hardest part to take about the defeat.” Syme scored a superb solo goal to see off this weekend’s opponent’s Camelon in the semi final of the East of Scotland Cup as Sauchie marched to glory, and he now reckons that the local derby clash could just be the ideal tonic for them to make things right to the manager and the fans. He said, “Camelon are in and around us in the league and so they are one of the teams we need to be taking points from. We haven’t even got a point on the road yet this season so we know it will be difficult, but there is no better way to put last weekend right than to go and get a victory in a tough derby game like this one.

“We need to move on from the cup exit because we cannot change it, but we must now focus on moving ourselves up the league. The fans have giving us a really good backing down at Largs and we feel like we have let them down, but hopefully they can rally round us on Saturday as we look to put things right.

“We have had a bit of a rivalry with Camelon over the past few seasons and I still think we owe them one from last season. They beat us twice in the league and knocked us out of the Scottish so they are the perfect opponents to take our frustrations out on.” The steady defender admits he is still adapting to life as an attacking wing back but believes he is improving with every game and he now hopes the manager gives him the chance to take his frustrations out on their bitter rivals.

Syme added, “I have settled into the left wing back role this year and I feel like I am impacting in games in spells.

“I know I am still improving and my confidence is growing each week, but I know I stlll have plenty room for improvement.

“I was disappointed in my own display last weekend, so hopefully if selected, I can go and rectify that on Saturday.”