Sauchie Juniors..................2

Linlithgow Rose................1

East Region Superleague

SAUCHIE boss Fraser Duncan says his side’s Super League victory over Linlithgow Rose is a mark of the confidence flowing through the squad.

The Wee County outfit are unbeaten since November, but were still unfancied before their weekend clash at Beechwood Park.

However, goals from Brian Morgan and Conor Kelly sealed a superb victory which could go a long way towards strengthening their survival prospects.

Duncan told Advertiser Sport: “It was a great win. The boys were magnificent and we are going from strength to strength at the minute.

"We just want to keep that going as long as possible. We are playing some great football at the minute and that is really pleasing.

“To beat Linlithgow on Saturday was great and it was thoroughly deserved too. I am chuffed to bits with the result.

“I think Craig Comrie deserves a special mention because he was different class on Saturday. He didn’t just control our midfield, he controlled Linlithgow’s too.

"They’ve got Martyn Shields and Ruari MacLennan, who have played at this level for a long time, but Craig dominated them on Saturday.

“Terry Hewitt has given Tommy Coyne a torrid time as well. Tommy is one of the best strikers in the juniors, but Terry has given him a horrible afternoon to the extent where he’s just drifted out of the game.

“Conor and Morgy bullied their centre-halves too, and we got our just rewards for that. They both got on the scoresheet on Saturday and I’m pleased for Conor in particular scoring against his old team. He’s playing with much more confidence.”

Duncan reckons Sauchie’s recent results show how far they have come, and the manager urged his players to keep their winning run going in the coming weeks.

He said: “We’ve beaten Bo’ness, Lochee, Penicuik and Linlithgow and we should have beaten Broxburn as well.

"That shows you that we’re a match for anybody. Consistency has always been our issue but we’re now finding that. I just wish it had come two or three weeks earlier because we would still be in the Scottish Cup.

“Our aim at the start of the season was to get 30 points. We thought we’d need that to be safe. Now we’re nearly at that mark we want to go and get more.

"The boys are desperate to go and get as many points on the board as we can. 40 points would be great so that’s the next target. That would be a great achievement.

“I don’t want to blow our own trumpet too much but I think even that might be a little bit harsh on us. We’re showing we can compete with anyone in this division.

"We are flying at the minute and if we can keep this run going, we should be looking more towards the 46-point mark.

“The spine of our team is really strong at the minute. That has been a big part of our success and I can’t give them enough credit.

"They’ve been absolutely superb. We have to keep that going because we are really enjoying this winning feeling. I’ve set us a target of six points from the next two against Kennoway and Carnoustie.

“I keep saying to the lads that we just need to keep taking it one game at a time and that continues against Kennoway on Saturday. They are second-bottom at the minute so they’re fighting for their lives. They need anything they can get from the game.

“They are two teams who are well below us at the minute, but I don’t want to say we should be winning them. We have got to keep working hard and making sure we do the right things.”

The manager added Alloa youngster Scott Sinclair to his ranks last week, and praised the teenager’s attitude after he made his debut last Saturday.

Duncan said: “We needed a bit more depth up front and Scott knows we will use him as much as we can. He’s a local lad and he’s come in with the right attitude.

"He’s prepared to work hard and you can’t ask for any more than that.

“The move is as much for his development as it is for strengthening our squad. It’s good for him to start experiencing men’s football because he’s at an age just now where he should be starting to make the step up from the development league.

"We’re glad to have him in and I’m looking forward to working with him for the next few weeks."