ARTHURLIE assistant George Fotheringham was delighted to see no signs of rustiness from his side as they continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 5-2 derby win over Johnstone Burgh on Saturday.

Andy McFadyen’s troops were left frustrated last weekend when a Covid outbreak at their scheduled opponents, Bellshill Atheltic, meant their fixture was postponed.

Arthurlie were raring to go after their break and got off to a flyer when the ever-reliable Gary Carroll scored from the spot after a minute before Gary Smith got the second.

Sam Esplin pulled one back before the break but a red-hot start to the second period saw Smith and Tam McGaughey put ‘Lie in a comfortable position after 50 minutes.

Carroll wrapped their scoring up midway through the half, however Malky McDonald did find a consolation for Burgh in the final moments of the game.

Arthurlie remain in second in Conference A of the West of Scotland Football League after picking up 28 points from their opening 10 fixtures, just two points behind Shotts Bon Accord and with two games in hand.

Andy McFadyen’s side are also the division’s top scorers after notching another five on Saturday – and at the other end boast the best defensive record.

Fotheringham is delighted to see goals flying in and believes there is any number of players who can find the net for his side.

Speaking to Barrhead Sport, he said: “It was a great win for us. We’re always confident in our own ability and drill it in to them to pass it about. 

“When we move it about nobody can get near us. There’s no better team in the league when we do that.

“The boys were raring to go. We didn’t want the week off because we’ve been winning and you want to keep the momentum going.

“We’ve got goals from all over the pitch with Gary Carroll and Gary Smith scoring goals for fun. 

“Tam McGauchey chips in with goals as well and we had Dale Simeon missing on Saturday who is always good for a few.

“We were really impressed with Johnstone Burgh. I thought they actually tried to play football so massive respect to them and they have a right good few young players.”

League action takes a back seat for Arthurlie this weekend as they prepare to take on Maryhill in the South Challenge Cup.

The change of competition may allow McFadyen to get minutes into the legs of some of the other members of his squad, and Fotheringham admits he is quite happy to leave that decision in the hands of the gaffer.

He explained: “We’ve got a squad of 18 boys and any of them could play so I’m glad it’s not me that has the final say.”