McBookie.com
East Premier League
Tranent Juniors...2
Sauchie Juniors...6

A SECOND-HALF hat trick from skipper Brian Morgan paved the way for an emphatic Sauchie win over title favourites Tranent.

The East Lothian side had been widely tipped to win the East Premier League at the start of the season, but were blown away on Saturday.

Gary McCulloch opened the scoring on the half hour mark, though the home side then equalised on the stroke of half time.

Morgan put Sauchie back in front before Tranent again hit back to level the scores.

However, as the game wore on, Ryan Millar grabbed the third before Morgan fired home two more, with Iain Diack rounding off the scoring at the death.

This week, the Sauchie captain told Advertiser Sport: "I felt we were lucky to go in level at the break and a change in shape at half time by the gaffer was the game changer for me. 

"We started to dictate the play, although allowing them a sloppy goal, and controlled the game throughout creating umpteen chances with a few falling to myself. 

"Scoring three and setting up the other two in the second half was very pleasing, but it was having the ability to step it up a notch when we wanted and most certainly needed which I was most happy about."

Sauchie manager Fraser Duncan praised the result as another indication of his side's strengths all over the park.

The gaffer said: "Tranent were tipped by many to be the favourites to win the league at the start of the season, so we knew it would be a tough game.

"And we went there with a bit of pressure on us already because we had started really well, while they haven't.

"They pinned us back twice in the game, which was a bit hard to take, but you have to credit us for having the character to keep going.

"It's a great scalp for us; not many teams will go to Tranent and score six goals.

"They couldn't deal with us, especially in the second half. We had too much fitness and too much energy for them."

After Morgan bagged himself a second-half hat trick on Saturday, his manager has set him the task of maintaining the standard in front of goal.

Duncan said: "It will be up to him to keep on scoring now. There will be a bit of pressure on him, but I know he'll be up for the challenge.

"We made a few changes in the second half and shifted him into a more central position, just in behind. He's more comfortable there and it definitely suited the team because it won us the game."

Up next for Sauchie is a visit from fellow premier league side Haddington in the East of Scotland Cup on Saturday.

And with such a strong league start at their back, Duncan has set his sights on another successful cup run this season.

"It's good to get the five wins in a row," He said. "The best run we had here at Sauchie was about two or three years ago when we won eight victories in a row.

"That was all about confidence; the boys were buzzing at training, and we were kind of just expected to win.

"Runs all come to an end, but we're hoping that we can keep it up for a while yet.

"We've got a big game against Haddington next and there's no sense in having this good league form if we exit from the cups early.

"Winning five out of five is great, but if the boys can make it six then I'll be delighted."