IAIN SYNE says a host of missing first-team stars is no excuse for Sauchie's humbling at the hands of Broxburn last Saturday.

The Juniors were resoundingly beaten 5-0 at Beechwood Park as their inconsistent start to the season continued.

And the full-back admitted that if it wasn't for goalkeeper Darren Dolan, things could have been even more humiliating for the Wee County side.

Syme told Advertiser Sport: "Before we kicked a ball we were missing a lot of players but that's no excuse for Saturday's performance. We should still have the players there to give a good account of ourselves and get something from the game. To lose 5-0 is embarrassing.

"We trained hard all week and the manager put out a team that he thought, quite rightly, would do the job on Saturday. But we just weren't good enough.

"Daz Dolan has had a good game. He kept the scoreline down and to be honest is probably the only one to get pass marks.

"We went one down inside a minute and were 3-0 down with half an hour gone. We were fighting a losing battle from there. If you're not on the ball in this league you will get punished and that's what happened."

Syme warned his team-mates that they would have to turn things around, having picked up just four points from their opening six games, and reckons their saving grace is the fact that other teams have had similarly difficult openings to the campaign.

He said: "Last year we could get away with key players missing and boys playing out of position but this league is a different kettle of fish.

"Other than Saturday's game I think we could have taken something from every game this season. We nearly nicked it at Penicuik and beat Bo'ness but between those games we lost four goals at teams we shouldn't be losing four goals to.

"The manager, Adrian and Dougie must be tearing their hair out because one week we look well-drilled and organised, and the next we look like a bunch of players who have just been thrown together.

"I know how tough this league is and I know the importance of getting off a good start. The only positive you can really take from the start we've had is that we're only four points off mid table, thanks to other teams around us losing games as well."

The left-back urged his side to get back to winning ways when they face Tranent in the East of Scotland Cup on Saturday, and admitted that a big reaction is needed from his side.

Syme added: "We have a big game away at Tranent in the cup and that will be a tough test. They are the cup holders and they beat us towards the end of last season so we can't go there thinking that just because they're from a lower division we're going to turn them over.

"We don't have the quality to go into any game with that attitude. We're in a battle and we have to scrap for everything.

"Every single player has a point to prove. After a bad result the best thing is to get straight back out on the park and put it right. It's important that we get a reaction."