Glenrothes Juniors............1
Sauchie Juniors.................3

McBookie.Com East Premier League

DARREN DOLAN says he is delighted to be back playing regular football at Sauchie after a frustrating period on the sidelines.

The goalkeeper recently returned for a second spell at Beechwood Park, leaving East Stirlingshire following a struggle with injury.

And the 24-year-old is pleased to have once again joined forces with older brother Steven.

Dolan told Advertiser Sport: "I hadn't been injured for a while and that just made it all the more frustrating when it happened.

"Sitting on the sidelines is just terrible. The main reason I came back was to get games under my belt.

"It's obviously nice to link up with Steven again," he added. "The only time I haven't played in the same team as him was when I was at Hamilton Accies and then East Stirling, so I am used to playing alongside him.

"The understanding we have can be useful at times, but it can be frustrating too. Sometimes if one of us makes a mistake we do have a go at each other, but to be honest, when we are on the park we treat each other as teammates rather than brothers."

Dolan was on hand last Saturday as goals from Iain Syme, Brian Morgan and David Morrsion sealed a 3-1 win for Sauchie.

And though he has reclaimed the number one spot since his return, he feels he and fellow goalkeeper Greig Maitland drive each other to improve.

He said: "It's always better when there are two good keepers at the club because when you're the only one there is nobody to push you on and you're less motivated.

"When there's someone there to potentially take your place you have to be motivated all the time. I have known Greig a long time and he has done really well since he's been here.

"The two of us push each other on and there is a good friendly rivalry between us."

Sauchie face a fixture pile-up over the next few months, with nine games in hand over title rivals Kennoway at the top.

And as they close in on a return to the Super League, Dolan says it's vital they continue to pick up victories, with three home ties in the next eight days.

They welcome Dalkeith to Beechwood Park tonight (Wednesday, April 19), before the visit of Kelty Hearts in the East of Scotland Cup this Saturday and Bathgate in the league the following Wednesday.

Winning both league games will put Sauchie within seven points of the leaders, with six games to play.

Dolan added: "The title is well within reach and we are getting close now. It's all about getting the three points on Wednesday and we are fully focused on getting a step closer.

"In this league you can't predict what's going to happen based on your previous results. You could beat a team 3-0 or 4-0, but then lose the next time you play them.

"But it's on our patch and we will have decent backing so hopefully that will give us the boost we need to go and get the win."