A WELL worked goal from Ross Kavanagh got Sauchie’s season off the ground as the Reds recorded their first win against Tynecastle.

The Reds hosted the Edinburgh side looking to prove themselves after back-to-back defeats against Hutchison Vale and Dunbar.

Tynecastle didn’t make it easy for Sauchie, slowing the game down wherever they could and preventing Sauchie from pressing.

Greig Maitland, coach for Sauchie Juniors, said: “It’s a great win for the boys to be fair to them.

“We’ve obviously not started the season particularly great in our last two games but a few words were had during the week in training.

“We’ve kicked on today and we’ve shown what we are made of today – if we do the basics in football, then the games take care of themselves.

“I thought everybody to a man was superb today – we showed work rate, desire, discipline and being patient.

“The biggest thing we talk about is patience. Tynecastle came in and they made it stuffy but we had to be patient.

“Another day, we could’ve won 3-0, 4-0 but today we’ll be happy with the 1-0 and kick on for the rest of the season.”

Patience was an important factor in Sauchie’s gameplan on Saturday, as Tynecastle took every opportunity to slow the game down where they could.

It looked like Kavanagh was sure to score after a fumble in the box allowed the striker to tap it in from close range before the goal was ruled out.

Despite this, the Reds showed composure on the ball and waited for their chances to come, with Kavanagh smashing it home near the hour mark.

“The game was a little bit frustrating at times,” Maitland said. “From the first minute to the last minute, they were trying to slow the game down and break the play up.

“It can frustrate us because it takes us out our cycle a little bit. We like to play high tempo press and have a high pressing game.

“We couldn’t emphasise enough to the boys at half time to be patient and we will get the goal.

“If we be patient during games, our ability will show through.”

Kavanagh was reliable as ever leading Sauchie’s line, almost having it in the net before it was ruled offside.

He showed great patience in waiting for his chance, turning on the ball and firing it into the top corner in the only goal of the game.

Maitland added: “Kav has been frustrated because he didn’t get the service against Dunbar or Hutchy Vale but he only needs one chance.

“That’s a half chance as well – the ball was behind him so to be able to turn his body and put it in the top corner from there is brilliant.

“The link up play from Danny and Lucas to get it there was superb.”