ARTHURLIE boss Andy McFadyen hailed his troops for showing a different side to their game as they continued their perfect start to the season with 13 goals and two more wins in the last week.

The Barrhead team hit double figures against Lugar Boswell Thistle last Wednesday night as they ran out 10-3 winners, with striker Gary Smith netting seven times and Dale Simeon bagging a hat-trick.

That was followed up with a 3-1 victory against Irvine Victoria on Saturday – and McFadyen was pleased to see his players find a different way to win as they secured another three points.

He told Barrhead Sport: “I’m absolutely delighted at the start we’ve had but I keep saying to the players to take things one game at a time.

“We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves but we’ve made a great start and long may it continue.

“Irvine were very good and it was some great defending by us that kept the score what it was but sometimes you need to roll the sleeves up and win ugly.

“There’s not going to be any easy games in this league, especially with the way we’ve started. Teams will want to be the ones to beat us.”

Tam McGauchey’s accurate finish gave Arthurlie an early lead at Dunterlie Park on Saturday, with Gary Carroll doubling the advantage five minutes before the break with a penalty-kick.

The visitors made a strong start to the second half and got their reward when Ben Killington was tripped in the penalty area and dusted himself down to convert the resultant spot-kick.

Arthurlie had to weather the storm in more ways than one as Vics piled on the pressure in driving rain.

But, with just five minutes to go, the home team made the points safe as Carroll netted his second of the afternoon from 12 yards.

Arthurlie are on the road this evening as they travel to bottom-of-the-table Saltcoats Victoria – but after watching Irvine, who have also made a slow start to the season, cause his players problems on Saturday, McFadyen insists he is taking nothing for granted.

He added: “Nothing is guaranteed, especially when you go away from home. You need to earn the three points.”

After tonight’s trip to Ayrshire, Arthurlie will be back in action at Dunterlie on Saturday, when Muirkirk are the visitors, with kick-off at 2pm.