SAUCHIE JUNIORS scored three to head to the top of the league table with a victory over Haddington Athletic in East Lothian.

Games between these sides are always closely contested, with the head-to-head being split last season with a victory apiece in the league; Sauchie however getting the better of the Hi-His in June’s League Cup final, winning 3-2.

Assistant Manager Darren Cummings managed the team once more, making three changes to last weekend’s triumphant side, with returns for Sam Collumbine and Ross Hutchison, meanwhile Aaron Isaacs replaced the absent Ross Kavanagh. 

Sauchie came out of the traps quickly, Isaacs having two chances in succession within the first five minutes, but his headed efforts were not enough to beat Campbell McLellan in the opposition goal.

The hosts’ only real effort came from a free-kick in their own half, a shot from distance by defender Craig Reid, sailing over the bar.

Hutchison had a shot of his own from way out, forcing a stretched McLellan to dive, but this too, was just wide of the mark.

Donning their away colours, Sauchie looked the better of the teams in the opening 45, controlling possession and having the chances at goal.

A positive first-half showing seemed to be overshadowed when Sauchie’s assistant manager received a caution and then his marching orders, a verbal yet arguably minor confrontation with the game’s officials. 

Cummings spoke to Advertiser Sport about his message at the break: “The word in there at half-time was just keep going, just keep believing in what we’re doing, and if we come out of the blocks nice and early, we’ll score.

“Stick with it, get balls in behind and crosses into the box.” 

This is a persistent message from the Sauchie management to their players, as their last three games have seen nine goals coming in the second half.

The team talk certainly worked, with substitute Jack Fisher having an immediate impact, beating his man to get a cross into the box, only for Isaacs to head home.

Connor Willaghan doubled the lead, a corner swung in by Stuart McDowell to meet the waiting full-back, who nodded in at the far post.

Willaghan had opened his account for the season just last weekend, scoring a carbon copy in his team’s victory over Edinburgh University.

Sauchie seemed comfortable tying up the three points, with goalkeeper Sean Robertson and his defence also intent on keeping the sheet clean.

Four minutes from time, Mikey Cunningham added a third, a fantastically placed ball from Fisher for the attacker to run into the box and grab his second Sauchie Juniors goal.

Sauchie’s number two emphasised the importance of the game, knowing that his squad had taken a valuable victory: “It’s a big day for us, these are the types of place you come down and get judged.

“There’s pressure on you, and to put out a statement like that can only do us a world of good going forward.”

SAUCHIE: Robertson, Willaghan, Hutchison, Thomson, Collumbine (Fisher 46’), Caves, McDowell (Swain 85’), Williamson, Smith (McBurnie 89’), Isaacs (Churchill 67’), Cunningham. UNUSED SUBS: Davidson, Sludden, Burt.