ARTHURLIE manager Stevie Kerrigan insists his team’s defeat of Cumnock while not being at their best shows the Barrhead side have improved this season.

Saturday’s 3-1 win at Dunterlie Park comes on the back of a win away at Troon last Saturday and Kerrigan believes winning while not playing at their maximum shows Lie have made good progress from the previous seasons when they have battled relegation.

He said: “I thought we were very good, we didn’t particularly play well but we looked like a strong team that will be difficult to beat.

“I thought we played enough football to suggest that won’t be down and about the bottom half of the league.

“I think we can do well I’ll put it that way. For the last six or seven years Arthurlie have been avoiding relegation in the last game or the last few games and this year we’re trying to improve on last year.

“We finished on 26 points last year so if we get 27 or 28 then I’ve improved things and that’s where I’m trying to get to.”

With the first round of the Scottish Junior Cup taking place this weekend, Arthurlie will play Auchinleck Talbot in the league for the second time this season as both sides received a bye.

The reigning Premier Division champions defeated Lie 4-0 to Talbot on the opening league game of the season, but Kerrigan is convinced the tie will benefit his squad more than resting up for a weekend.

He added: “We had the option of playing them, we obviously played them in the first game of the season, but I think bring on more games.

“We need to get the players playing week in week out, and that’s what I’m doing.

“I took the opportunity to keep the boys going and we’ll certainly give Talbot a test.”