Dougie MacDuff insists Irvine Vics can enjoy a promotion party feast if they stay hungry for points.
The in-form Westenders climbed into third spot in the West of Scotland League Third Division for the first time this season at the weekend.
A 5-1 victory over Saltcoats Victoria did the job and boss MacDuff wants his talented team to remain among the promotion places.
“I said last season judge me this season once we’ve identified and looked at bringing players in,” he said at the weekend.
“Everyone is working really hard and the players have been exceptional.
“We’ve tried to get our experienced players on the park because you just can’t beat experience.
“There’s no point in having half a dinner, you’ve got to take the lot. You want to get promotion.”
The Westenders travel to North Lanarkshire this Saturday for a date with Newmains United and MacDuff wants more from his side.
He added: “We need to up our game and play a lot better – we’ve actually played some decent football away from home.
“We’ve achieved a wee target but the next big game is Newmains.”
Westenders are too strong for lowly Seasiders
Big Kevin Adam bagged a brace as Vics maintained their promotion push with a second half super show against Saltcoats.
The Westenders were dominant throughout Saturday’s West of Scotland League Third Division encounter at Victoria Park but were level at the break.
Greg Kean wiped out Lewis McCracken’s opener to give Saltcoats hope that they could take something from the game.
But James Maxwell, Adam’s double – which included a penalty and Gerard Clark saw Irvine clinch a 5-1 triumph. The visitors’ afternoon went from bad to worse when Callum McDade was sent-off.
Dougie MacDuff’s men took the lead in the 18th minute. A low ball into the box saw the Saltcoats defence get in a muddle; Adam’s initial effort was smothered but McCracken was on hand to smash the rebound in off the underside of the bar from close range.
Saltcoats equalised two minutes later, though. A long ball forward wasn’t dealt with by Fraser MacDuff and Kean stole in to produce a lovely finish into the far corner of the net.
However, it was one-way traffic in the second half as the Westenders served up a wonderful display of attacking football to sink the Seasiders with a goal rush.
It was 2-1 in the 49th minute. A throw-in was flicked on expertly by Adam for Maxwell who arrived at the back post to convert in style.
A third goal was plundered just before the hour mark as the Boyle Street faithful really began to enjoy their afternoon out.
Patient build-up resulted in Shane Jackson darting in behind the defence and teeing up Adam who outrageously backheeled the ball into the net.
Jackson could have had a goal of his own in the 72nd minute but his shot after showing great strength to hold off his man struck the post.
Irvine added a fourth soon after from the penalty spot. The referee penalised Saltcoats for handball then red-carded McDade who had seemingly used foul and abusive language.
Adam stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way. With three minutes to go, sub Gerard Clark drove home No 5.
Westenders boss MacDuff said: “I told them the first half wasn’t acceptable. We threw the gauntlet down to them and they accepted it. Our football was a lot more fluid.”
Read next:
- Popular Ayrshire harbourside restaurant reopens after smart terrace conversion
- Ayrshire shop owner's take on regenerating town centres as hub takes shape
- Brave identical twins save 15-year-old from drowning at Ayrshire beach
- Battered sausage produced in Ayrshire is one of Scotland's best
- 'Every day is like Christmas when you're working at Craig Tara caravan park'
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
