FRASER DUNCAN believes his side are in “major contention for winning the league” after Sauchie thrashed Glenrothes 7-2.

The Reds continued their impressive run of form with during their third home game in a row against the Fife side.

A hat trick from Ross Kavanagh and a brace each for Danny Smith and Ross Hutchison secured a comfortable three points for Sauchie.

Sauchie have been gaining serious momentum lately, with Duncan delighted that his team’s hard work is paying off.

“I’m really chuffed,” he said. “We set a target before Dundonald - we had two tough away games in Dundonald and Haddington and then three home games.

“If we want to put any contention on that league, we need to get maximum points from these five games and the boys have done it.

“They’ve done it in style as well. They’ve played some really good football and scored a lot of good goals.

“From the start of the season, we’ve taken a few guys out and had a few come in and it’s made all the difference to be honest because we’re playing really good football.

“The last five games we’ve been excellent. I can’t fault them in any way over the last five weeks for me; I’ve been chuffed to bits with the way they’ve performed."

The win over Glenrothes sees Sauchie go eight games unbeaten in the East of Scotland League and move into second place.

League leaders Broxburn remain ahead of them by just six points as it begins to heat up at the top of the table.

Duncan continued: “We’re now sitting in second place after these five recent games, while if you look before that, we were sat in the bottom quarter.

“To put a run together like that is nothing short of phenomenal, they deserve to be sitting where they are.

“Kav is obviously back on the scoresheet, Danny [Smith] scored the penalty and the seventh goal to wrap things up.

“I’m really impressed with Ross Hutchison as well. He came to the squad last year, he’s kicked on and he’s been phenomenal for us.

“I’m really happy with where the squad is at the moment, pleased with everything I’m seeing but we’re still not the finished article yet.”

Next up for Sauchie is a visit to Jeanfield, who currently sit below Sauchie by two points, albeit with two games in hand.

The gaffer has set a target of nine out of nine in the next three games, with his side more than ready for the test.

“Jeanfield is next,” Duncan added. “It’s in our hands. We need to keep pushing. We want to get going in the league and give ourselves a fighting chance.

“We want to go and put maximum points on the board. If we can get nine out of nine in the next few games, then we are in real contention of winning this league.

“The next two or three weeks bring huge games and we just need to make sure we’re up for them.”