Sauchie Juniors boss Fraser Duncan is delighted with his side after they came through a tough pre-season test to record a 3-2 win over Petershill at Beechwood Park last weekend.

It was a game of two halves for the Wee County side who dominated proceedings in the first period to take a 3-0 half-time lead, but their opponents rallied well after the interval to heap the pressure on their hosts in the second half.

And the gaffer believes his young squad will have learned an important lesson from having to battle to get the result late on.

Duncan told Advertiser sport: “I was pleased with the win over Petershill because they have a good side and have signed some top players over the summer. My lads were excellent in the first half and I don’t think anyone would’ve grudged us if we’d scored a few more.

“But then in the second half Petershill were very much the better side and it was a pretty even game in that respect. The experience of that second half will be great for us because we were really put under the cosh and had to dig out a result. Some of the young boys who have come in have really impressed so far and their challenge now is to keep that level up when the competitive action begins. We have a young squad this year, but nothing seems to faze them.

“They just enjoy their football and play with a real fearlessness to go and take the game to teams. We have scored 17 goals in our last four pre-season games so we are looking good in the forward areas.

“We still have a few boys missing as well with Brian Morgan being injured, Calum Hendrie and Gary Bonnes both still to come back as well.” The 31-year-old reserved special praise for his keeper Ross Harkness who produced a string of top drawer saves to earn his side the win.

Duncan also revealed his delight at tying up the services of last season’s player of the year David Morrison on a new deal.

He said: “We are delighted to have a player like David Morrison re-sign with us for another year. He was one of our players of the season last year and I think his experience could be vital for us this year. The attitude and work rate he brings will definitely rub off on some of the younger lads so I am chuffed to bits to have him.

“Ross Harkness impressed on Saturday and he has really stepped up to the mark since the departure of Daz Dolan. He is the number one and it is up to him now to make it his own. I am looking to bring in another young keeper as well who might be able to push Ross, but he hasn’t put a foot wrong for us since his arrival at the club.” It has been all change at Beechwood Park over the summer as the manager has rebuilt his squad for the new season, and he is still hopeful of adding one or two more if the right player becomes available.

Duncan added: “I am still looking to add one more to my squad if I can, but it will only be the right player. We have a great squad already and so I am just really looking for that extra sprinkling of quality to add the finishing touches now.”