SAUCHIE JUNIORS...............................1
DUNDONALD BLUEBELL.....................0
East of Scotland Premier Division

SAUCHIE negotiated a difficult Dundonald Bluebell challenge, securing the first three points of the season at Beechwood Park on Saturday afternoon.

Manager Fraser Duncan made a trio of changes from the side that triumphed against Glenrothes in the cup on Wednesday, the most notable being the inclusion of Connor Willaghan for his first competitive start of the season.

The visitors came out firing in the early part of the game, threatening the Sauchie goal with a chance at a free-kick in the first two minutes, with Regan Lumsden firing just wide of the mark.

A series of crosses from Correy Battrick were allowed to make their way into the box but these were cleared by some assured defending from the home side.

To say that Sauchie were up against it in the opening 20 minutes was certainly an understatement, with Bluebell proving to be dangerous in their attacks as they searched for an opener.

The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark; a free-kick awarded the way of Sauchie after a foul on Aaron Isaacs - whipped in by Stuart McDowell.

McDowell’s cross from the set piece met the feet of the waiting Jack Thomson, who put it on a plate for Isaacs to tap in from close range.

The second half became more of Sauchie’s game, with the home side coming close through a free-kick from Ross Kavanagh. 

Sauchie were also firm at the back to ensure a well-earned clean sheet.

After the match, Fraser Duncan told Advertiser Sport: “Clean sheets are vital, we wanted one against Glenrothes the other night, it didn’t happen but it gives Sean and the back four a bit of confidence going forward.”

Duncan also praised Sam Davidson, who was given the captain’s armband in place of the absent Danny Smith.

He continued: “Sam’s been outstanding the last two games in that centre midfield role.

“He’s done really well, his passing was superb at the right times, and he’s covering at the right times.

“He’s working his tail off, we’re really happy with Sam at the minute.”

Sauchie now head out on the road for four consecutive games, culminating in a Scottish Cup tie against either Culter or Invergordon.

SAUCHIE: Robertson, Willaghan, Harrison, Thomson, Collumbine, McDowell (Churchill 75’), Kavanagh, Davidson, Isaacs (McNeill 84’), Cunningham, Fisher (Smith 62’). UNUSED SUBS: Tully, Sludden, Burt, Trialist