Sauchie new boy Danny Ashe is delighted to be off the mark early after an excellent strike against title-chasing Linlithgow Rose in a 3-1 defeat at Beechwood Park last Wednesday.

The versatile midfielder was one of a number of new players to arrive at Beechwood Park this summer and he was full of praise for the new number one Darren Dolan after the stopper pulled off a string of saves to keep Rose at bay for large spells before the two late penalties.

Ashe told Advertiser Sport, “To start against Bo’ness and Linlithgow was always going to be difficult for us and we know it will be a tough season this year but I am sure we can bounce back quickly from this. I felt for Darren Dolan in goals for us against Linlithgow because he was superb on the night and proved what a good keeper he was by keeping us in the game on four or five separate occasions. I am sure Darren will prove to be a top keeper for us this year. Linlithgow kept the ball well and they are a good team. We never started the game as we intended to.

“The shape of the team was a little off in the first half but we did much better with the change to a 4-3-3 at half time. We got ourselves back in the game and to get to 82 minutes against a side like that is ok but to lose to two late penalties was frustrating. It wasn’t to be for us but we can take heart from a decent second half performance against a very good side. I didn’t score at all last season so I am better off already but it was a great feeling to get off the mark. I always aim for 12 goals in a season so it is nice to be up and running.” Ashe revealed his delight at the chance to return to the club, where he spent a season on loan while he was at Stirling Albion back in the 2011/12 season and he is thankful that a few familiar faces are still around to help him settle straight back in at the club.

He said, “I am pleased to back playing my football at Sauchie and there is still a few of the lads here from my first spell with the club. It is great to have the likes of Jon Tully, Graeme King, and Darren Cummings still here and a few familiar faces have helped me settle in quickly. We have some good players and they are a great group of lads who work hard for each other so hopefully we can still have a good season.

“I had been speaking to Fraser for a while before I signed and I had started my pre-season pretty early on so I have come to the club fit and hopefully I can continue to hit the ground running. We just need to focus on our own game and try to pick up as many points as we can and see where we end up. We would love to have a decent cup run in there as well and we will always look to do well in the cups.” The 22-year-old wasn’t the only family member to hit the headlines this week after his brother Adam, who made his debut for the Scotland rugby side last month, signed a new professional contract at Glasgow Warriors and he hopes they can both flourish this season.

Danny added, “I was delighted for Adam to sign his deal with the Glasgow Warriors and hopefully it’s a good year for us both.”