Catch us if you can
EK boss Martin Lauchlan lays down title challenge to rivals
Martin Lauchlan has this week warned East Kilbride’s Lowland League title rivals they’ll need to be at the top of their game to stop his side this season.
The Kilby boss has won his opening three league games with ease and on Saturday started the club’s defence of the East of Scotland Cup with a thumping 6-1 win away at Gretna.
That came just seven days after hitting Selkirk for six in the league and the stats from Kilby’s first four games make impressive reading, with four games won, 18 goals scored and just one conceded.
The Lowland League leaders now head to Preston Athletic on Saturday determined to maintain their 100-percent start to the season.
And Lauchlan, whose side are two points clear of Spartans and Dalbeattie at the summit, told the News: “There are goals all over this team and it’s going to be very hard to stop us this season.
“To beat us, teams are going to have to be at the top of their game for 90 plus minutes.
“I’ve told the players this could be a very special season and they believe we can achieve a lot. Everything is positive.
“The strikers are on fire, players are chipping in with goals from all over and we’ve not lost a goal in the league yet.
“But we are not going into the Preston game expecting to win it.
“The players know they need to keep working hard to maintain this level and it will be a tough trip for us.
“Preston is where the club dropped points last season, so we have to approach the game in the right manner.”
Lauchlan is currently on a 13-game winning streak at K-Park since losing his first game in charge against Whitehill Welfare last season.
On Saturday, Kilby continued to rotate their squad with seven changes made to the side that beat Dalbeattie Star 3-0 last midweek.
He added: “It’s very hard for players to keep their jersey at the moment.
“Last season, some players maybe knew their place was guaranteed but now you’ve got to be at your best in training to have a chance.
“The players are getting physical with each other in training and there’s a wee bit of snap, but I don’t mind that.
“There’s a desire from everyone to get in that first 11 and that’s bringing the best out in everyone.
“Even although we are making changes, the players who are coming in are of equal ability to those who they’re replacing.
“With two players for every position, the boys know if they are not up to it one week, someone else is waiting to take their place.”