Peter Murphy tells Annan Athletic to make history in play-off final

Murphy’s side take on Clyde tonight in the first leg of their Scottish League One decider.

The Galabank club are two games from a much sought-after promotion to the third tier.

And manager Murphy says the chance to make their mark on history is something his side should embrace.

“It's an exciting opportunity for both clubs, especially for Annan with the opportunity to create history,” he said ahead of tonight’s televised home leg.

“I’ve mentioned it to my players a bit this year.

“At the start of this season we were the first League Two club to top the group in the [League] Cup and get to the second round. That was a bit of history in itself.

Peter Murphy has challenge Annan to make history (Image: Joe Saunders)

“One of our players, Aidan Smith, has broken the record for most goals scored for Annan.

“I put that question to the players – in any season, can you create a bit of history for yourselves and the club?

“And they’ve got a great opportunity to do that this year.”

Annan, who finished third in League Two, surged into the final after thrashing Dumbarton 6-0 in their play-off semi-final first leg before completing the job with a 0-0 away draw.

They now take on a Clyde side who finished second bottom of League One and are battling to maintain their third-tier status.

Tonight’s clash and Friday’s second leg sees a second consecutive play-off final for Annan, who lost narrowly to Edinburgh City last year – and a third in five years, having been ousted by Clyde in 2019.

Carlisle United hero Murphy hopes his squad’s experience of such games, plus their positive recent form, can take them all the way this time.

“We kept the majority of the squad together from last year, and made a couple of good additions, with the likes of Willie Gibson – he’s 38, and has promotions under his belt, and that will help our younger players like [Carlisle United teenage loan defender] Max Kilsby who’s had a great season for us,” said Murphy.

“I think the players will take a lot from last year. They’ve had a taste of other big games, such as playing Rangers last year, Aberdeen this year – games with big-game atmospheres.

Young Carlisle loan defender Max Kilsby has impressed for Annan on their run to the play-off final (Image: Joe Saunders)

“With the experiences they’ve had, they’ll be looking forward to trying to go one better than last year.

“There’s a lot of confidence going into this final and hopefully this year we can do it.”

Murphy’s side come up against a Clyde side managed by the vastly-experienced Jim Duffy.

They saw off East Fife in their semi-final to set up the encounter with Annan. Clyde’s squad includes former Carlisle youngster and one-time Annan loanee Cameron Salkeld.

“Clyde finished second bottom by a bit of a margin, but League One this year was really competitive, with a couple of full-time teams in the division,” Murphy said.

“I expect Clyde to be very organised and disciplined having played against these bigger sides all season. I expect they will fancy their chances.

“I’m sure it will be a cagey affair tonight, with Clyde coming and maybe sitting in, wanting to get back to their place knowing what they have to do.

“We’re very confident with the way we’ve played, and the results we’ve had last week.

“The opportunity is there but opportunities have to be taken. You can’t expect it to be given to you. We have to do our jobs properly.”

Clyde are managed by the vastly experienced Jim Duffy, left - and their squad includes former Carlisle United youngster Cameron Salkeld, right (Image: PA / News & Star)

Murphy felt his side managed the second semi-final leg at Dumbarton excellently to prevent their opponents making any dent on Annan’s first leg lead.

And on the prospect of promotion, he said: “I think it would be a real achievement.

“To not get promoted with the way we played in the finals last year, when the Edinburgh goalkeeper [Brian Schwake] had a world-class performance…we did enough to go up, it just wasn’t to be.

“With the way we’ve continued, with the momentum we’ve had, it would be a massive achievement for the club and everybody associated with it.

“We have volunteers at the club all trying to do their best – it would be a reward for all their hard work. For the players, young and experienced, it would be a real reward.

“We’ve got a good core of players from the Carlisle area and Dumfries area. And there’s an added incentive for the Dumfries players to be playing against Queen of the South next year.

“We’d have the benefit of bigger crowds, better revenue. There are plenty of positives but the job has to be done.”

Murphy does not expect any new injury issues ahead of tonight’s first leg.

“One of our players I had to take off at the weekend, he was struggling to breathe after a collision with the goalkeeper. We’re checking on him but I would expect to have a fully fit squad,” he said.

Teenage Carlisle defender Kilsby is in line to start tonight, while other Cumbrians and ex-United players in the Annan ranks include Steven Swinglehurst, Greg Fleming, Josh Galloway, Charlie Barnes, Matty Douglas and Roan Steele as well as former Carlisle City man Rob McCartney.

Tonight’s game kicks off at 7.35pm and is live on BBC Alba.