Sauchie Juniors 3, Dunbar United 2

THERE was no Scottish Cup hangover for Sauchie Juniors, who returned to league action with a victory over Dunbar United.

“We’re in this together” was the message from Sauchie Juniors during the week leading into the game, it’s clear that this is a galvanised side following the confirmation of their point deduction from the previous week.

Manager Fraser Duncan handed starts to his quartet of new signings: Josh Gemmell, Euan Griffiths, Finn Malcolm and Paul Simpson, all making their Sauchie Juniors debut.

He said: “We decided last week that we were going to put the four new signings in, we needed that bit of energy, and we needed to give boys a rest.”

“A lot of boys have been running on empty and pushing through injuries.”

The home side looked to put the disappointment of their cup exit behind them as they started on the front foot.

Gemmell and Malcolm both came close in the opening ten minutes, but both attempts falling just short of the mark.

A chance for the visitors at the opposite end opened up for an advancing attack, goalkeeper Keir Burt was quick to react off his line to dispose of the danger.

Sauchie were awarded a free kick in what looked to be a dangerous area. Simpson struck the ball, but the ex-Linlithgow Rose man’s shot would only hit the roof of the net.

At the twenty-minute mark, the deadlock was broken, a strike from Malcolm into the far post, following what had been a fantastically weighted ball from Gemmell.

The Seasiders went looking for a penalty, Jack Thomson getting involved in a tangle with Dunbar’s Gregor Goldie, but protests were waved away.

However, a penalty was awarded when Grant Thomson fouled Gemmell in the box, and this time, there was no hesitation in pointing to the spot from the match referee.

Malcolm stepped up, and despite the goalkeeper guessing the correct way with his dive, this was not enough to deny the powerful strike. The Sauchie Juniors account was opened for the striker as he added his and the team’s second.

A third came when Simpson’s corner was cleared from danger, only to land in the feet of Gemmell on the edge of the box, rifling past Liam Campbell from distance.

With Sauchie three goals to the good and arguably cruising towards the victory, this then caused a resurgence in the Dunbar performance.

Liam Gregory met a ball crossed in from the left-hand side to the opposite side, with the winger getting on the scoresheet as he hit home his attempt in front of goal.

Just a short minute later, Dean Whitson had the visitors’ second, a headed effort following a corner into a crowded Sauchie box.

The keen away side continued pushing forward, now looking for a late equaliser and with a free chance from John Ward put over the bar, a collective sigh of relief was heard from the men in red.

This proved to be the final action of an enthralling football match, proceedings brought to a close at Beechwood Park.

Duncan continued: “The most important thing today was the three points, it could’ve been a better performance, especially the second half.

"Thought the first half and the first ten minutes of the second half, we controlled the game, then we’ve sort of dropped off, which we cannot do, we need to continue for the ninety minutes.

On a selection headache he now faces following impressive debuts from his new additions:  “I’m glad I’ve now got that headache to be honest, I’ve not had it all season.

"I’ve had to scrimp and move boys about positions, but it’s great to have options going forward.”

Sauchie Juniors will play their only away game of the month this Saturday at Olivebank Stadium against league leaders Musselburgh Athletic in a 2:30 pm kick-off.

Duncan added: “This one is huge for us, it’s always a tough place to go. It’s going to be a battle; that’s what you get when you go through there.

"It’s not the greatest of surfaces, so we’re going to have to work extremely hard and go toe-to-toe with them.

"They’re top of the league, and we’re in a false position, we’re not here to make up the numbers and will look to cause as many upsets as possible."

Sauchie Juniors: Burt, Willaghan, Hutchison, Sc. Davidson, Thomson, Simpson, Caves, Sa. Davidson (D. Smith 57’), Griffiths, Gemmell (Collumbine 68’), Malcolm (M. Smith 85’)

Substitutes Not Used: Robertson, Williamson, Isaacs, Fisher