Fantastic four as Sauchie run rampant against Tynecastle

AN ASSURED Sauchie showing ensured a vital three points as they took care of Tynecastle in their latest league fixture.

There was just one change from last weekend’s emphatic cup victory over Hawick Royal Albert; interim manager Jon Tully recalled Conor Kelly to the starting 11.

Ross Hutchison was not fit enough to play from the start as he carried a knock, Finlay Miller from the side’s under 20s continued his run in the team and assumed the left-back role. 

Speaking on consistency within his team selection, Tully offered: “The team's not changing a lot now from week to week, just the odd change due to knocks and niggles or suspensions; I think that really helps.”

There was an immediate threat from the kick-off by the home team, innovative thinking from Sam Collumbine sent Brian Morgan away with a long ball forward, only to be put behind for a corner and then the resulting delivery was cleared from danger.

A mistake by Mitkotaj Komocki meant Morgan could intercept a pass intended for Conor Power, but the Sauchie player's control let him down.

Connor Willaghan fouled Callum Downie for a free kick, giving the away team their first opportunity of the game. 

Sean Watt delivered this deep into the box, but Sauchie captain Scott Davidson dealt with it.

Morgan got the game’s opener, Malcolm with the set-up work and a fine pass inside the box for the veteran midfielder to tap in at close range.

Danny Smith sent one of his teasing corners into a busy box, reaching the head of defender John Binnie, whose effort was turned into the net for an own goal by Tynecastle's Watt.

A second Smith set-piece was sent in but fate would not strike twice, the visitors cleared only as far as youngster Miller to strike from the outside of the box, just wide of the mark. 

Crosses were causing Tynecastle all sorts of problems and another Malcolm delivery ended up at Collumbine's feet, but the midfielder blasted his shot past the post at close range.

With just over half an hour on the clock, the hosts were three up, Kelly getting in amongst the action, a perfectly weighted pass gifting him a chance to strike into the far side of the goal.

The home side was determined to put the game to bed in the first half as Kelly then searched for his second goal, flicking the ball only to the waiting Tynecastle goalkeeper.

A last opportunity of the first 45 fell for the away team, Kameron Jackson providing a ball to Ryan Cameron, but the visiting captain dragged his shot wide.

Looking to avoid a repeat of the last meeting between the sides, the Sauchie interim boss spoke of avoiding a déjà vu scenario, in which the team led 3-0 in the capital before conceding three goals to draw the game.

Tully said: “I think the group have learned a lot from that, and there were probably 6 or 7 players who played this time that didn’t play in that match, so that helped as well.”

Downie was prevented with another free-kick opportunity, and swung in for another chance for Cameron, there was certainly not enough from the striker to threaten. 

Trying something different from the corner, Smith and Miller would link up, playing a short pass to get the ball into the middle for Kelly, but his acrobatic was ruled out for offside.

Still searching for what would be a consolation goal, Tynecastle's James Redpath provided a ball through to Arran Ponton, which was hit into the side netting.

Kelly would grab his second in what would be the last real action of the game, Komocki saved the initial shot, but the striker pounced on the rebound.

Tully added: “I thought the performance was a professional one.

"It wasn’t a vintage free-flowing game of football, but we were clinical at both ends of the pitch, and to move us up into 12th place made it a great weekend."

He continued: “Clean sheets are as good as scoring a goal; the players work hard each week, and their organisation has been spot on the last couple of weeks.

"This has helped young Finlay (Miller) settle in there.”

Sauchie Juniors continue their league campaign on Saturday.

They will play Glenrothes in a fifth consecutive home game at Beechwood Park. This game will kick off at 2.30 pm.

Advertiser Sport Man of the Match (Sauchie Juniors team): This performance was as good as any, more than showing what the side is capable of when they are at their absolute best. Every player, to a man, more than deserves their plaudits, with a clinical performance by the attackers and then a resolute defensive unit at the back.

Sauchie Juniors: Robertson, Willaghan, Sc. Davidson, Binnie, Collumbine (Chalmers 86’), Miller, Kelly, Smith (McDermott 86’), Griffiths (Sa. Davidson 66’), Malcolm (Hutchison 75’), Morgan.

Substitutes Not Used: Bateman, Batchelor, Burt.