Arthurlie assistant boss Tam McLaughlin took the opportunity to use his side’s bounce game against their Under 21s as a scouting mission after Jeanfield Swifts pulled out at the last minute. 

The Lie were due to face the East of Scotland League side on Saturday as they gear up for their first competitive match under new manager Duncan Sinclair but that fell through at the last minute due to travel issues with the Perth club.

Arthurlie quickly arranged a bounce game with their Under 21s and McLaughlin, standing in for Sinclair, chose to focus on the positives of coming up against the youngsters rather than dwell on the disappointment of a late cancellation. 

The first team cruised to a 3-1 win at Dunterlie Park with Jamie Docherty, Archie McNicol and Del McNab grabbing the goals but there was a number of standouts in the young side with a few catching McLaughlin’s eye.

And the youngsters could join up with the first team before the League Cup campaign. 

McLaughlin said: “It was a good exercise but there’s still a lot of rebuilding to do at the club. That’s two games we’ve had in the past couple of weeks and we’ve picked up two good results, scoring seven and conceding just one. It’s still a matter of building up fitness as well. We’ve changed seven or eight bodies at half-time in both games to get guys game time. Most guys have had at least 45 minutes. 

“There was a few youngsters that stood out to us and looked as if they could make the step up. I spoke to Duncan after the game and we had a wee chat about it. No matter what team you play, we always look at what’s available from the other side and if there’s anyone there who can enhance your own squad. At the moment we’ve signed 14 new players and we’re still looking to add.”

Arthurlie take on West Premiership side Beith Juniors tonight and while McLaughlin and Sinclair know they face a tough test against the Bellsdale Park men, they are already looking ahead to the competitive action returning on Saturday.

McLaughlin added: “Tonight will be a test when we go to play Beith and will give us a good idea of where we are at but we’re looking forward to the real stuff starting. We’ve played two games so far and the opposition has been okay. Beith will be a test then we’re right into the competitive action with the Cup on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday then the league action. We’re building up slowly to the league as that’s the bread and butter. That’s where we need to concentrate. The club has high expectations, as do we.”