Sauchie Juniors earn first league point at Newtongrange Star

Jon Tully is convinced wins will come for his Sauchie Juniors side after they picked up their first point of the season on Saturday.

The Reds travelled to Newtongrange Star for their third Premier Division encounter of the campaign, having lost their opening two.

An injury time home loss to St Andrews United was followed last midweek by a 5-0 loss at Jeanfield Swifts, a match the Beechwood Park boss felt did not reflect the flow of the game.

It looked as though they would pick up their first maximum of the season on Saturday after an opening period in which they found themselves in front.

Conor Kelly's forward run saw him play the ball into the box for Dylan McGowan, who struck home the opening goal after only 13 minutes.

Sauchie celebrate taking the lead. (Image: Gary Peacock.) Sauchie continued to create opportunities, but only had one goal to show for their efforts before the break, after which the home side improved.

They scored with 20 minutes to go through Arran Laidlaw to secure a share of the spoils, with Tully telling Advertiser Sport: "It was a real game of two halves.

"We started off brilliantly and played some great football. We dominated the first half.

"They had one shot I think, from a free-kick, but that was about it. It was a very good performance from us - our passing and movement was good, and the goal that we scored was very good. We had another two or three chances that we should've taken.

"They came out for the second half, without creating much, but we had one or two opportunities. They got a goal and, after that, both teams nullified each other.

"If you don't take your chances, you get punished, and Jeanfield on Wednesday night was a great example of that."

Jon Tully believes results will come for his Sauchie side. (Image: Scott Barron Photography.) Tully continued: "We have a really young squad.

"In every game, we have improved, and I spoke to them on Saturday and said that if we keep doing the right things, the results will come.

"We want to get the ball down, pass it, and create chances.

"We're still three or four players short, and I hope to have one or two boys in over the next couple of weeks."

This evening (Wednesday) Sauchie host Lowland League outfit, Civil Service Strollers, in an East of Scotland Qualifying Cup second round tie, before welcoming Penicuik Athletic to Beechwood on Saturday.