TEAM boss Chris Mackie has owned up to a sense of satisfaction over Arthurlie’s start to the season even though he believes there is better to come.

The Barrhead outfit are one of only four Super Premier Division sides to sit unbeaten after two league games played and the former striker is urging his playing charges not to take their foot of the gas.

Saturday’s pulsating 4-3 defeat of a Rob Roy side…that managed to beat Arthurlie home and away last season…is an indication of the strengthening moves wrought by Mackie’s wheeling and dealing on the Junior transfer scene over the summer months and he has been blown away by how quickly his new recruits have gelled.

He admitted: “The spirit among the guys is nothing short of terrific and it’s epitomised by Chris Walker and Steven Tart putting themselves forward to play against Rob Roy with cracked rib injuries rather than let their team-mates down.

“Though disappointed at losing three goals at home, I have to be happy all things considered and more so when you think we have picked up four points from a possible six to date and have front men who know where the net is.

“Marc McKenzie is someone I have known for many years so his displays come as no surprise to me but it now looks as if he may have found the ideal forward line partner in Michael Daly whose aerial ability was underlined by the manner in which he headed home the winning goal on Saturday .

“Having strikers with their qualities allows us to mix it up by going direct or playing things quickly on the floor and I can see them posing a real goalscoring threat to defences this coming season. “

A trip into Ayrshire to face Hurlford United is next up for Arthurlie and Mackie reckons another big performance is needed from his troops.

He said: “Blair Park is a venue where games tend to be tight and physical so I’m expecting more of the same on Saturday.

“We’ve had them watched and will await the report on their formation before deciding how we will set ourselves up but the hope is to take something from the game down there to keep our run going.”

Meanwhile, Rob Roy boss Stewart Maxwell will use his side’s first free midweek since the season got underway to rest up players and try to instil some defensive organisation ahead of hosting the visit of Kilbirnie Ladeside.

Maxi revealed: “Danny Boyle has been troubled by a niggling injury for the past few games but we’ve had no choice other than to play him with Michael Oliver ruled out for the season with cruciate ligament damage to his knee.

“Thankfully we managed to fix up a short-term loan deal for Hamilton Accies Development Squad Under 20’s prospect Danny O’Halloran, who is the son of the former Petershill and Pollok centre-back of the same name, and I thought he acquitted himself well despite being thrown in at the deep end for his debut against Arthurlie.

“He’s a youngster who will only get better as he acclimatises to the Juniors and if he turns out to be a chip off the old block then we are on a winner.”

Elsewhere, Pollok’s hopes of early season Central Regional Cup silverware success have been boosted by the postponement of last night’s scheduled quarter-final clash away to Forth Wanderers due to a waterlogged pitch.

The last eight Kingshill Park contest had already been declared unplayable last midweek so the game has now been switched to Newlandsfield (tomorrow night 6.30pm) where Tony McInally’s men will be strongly fancied to make it through at the third time of asking and clinch a semi-final date at home to Renfrew.

TOMORROW'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 6.30pm)

Central Sectional Cup quarter-final: Pollok v Forth Wanderers. Semi-finals: Cambuslang Rangers v Clydebank. Ardagh Glass Cup semi-finals: Glenafton v Hurlford Utd, Irvine Vics v Auchinleck Talbot.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Hurlford Utd v Arthurlie, Clydebank v Beith, Kilwinning Rangers v Pollok, Rob Roy v Kilbirnie Ladeside.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Darvel v Cumbernauld Utd, Shettleston v Maryhill, Renfrew v Kello Rovers, Petershill v Irvine Meadow, Kilsyth Rangers v Larkhall Thistle, Cambuslang Rangers v Rutherglen Glencairn, Largs Thistle v Troon.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Neilston v Yoker Athletic, St Roch's v Blantyre Vics, East Kilbride Thistle v Greenock, Glasgow Perthshire v Rossvale, Thorniewood Utd v Port Glasgow, Shotts Bon Accord v Benburb, Lesmahagow v Wishaw.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Vale of Clyde v Johnstone Burgh, Dunipace v Carluke Rovers, Lanark Utd v Bellshill Athletic, Royal Albert v Vale of Leven, Ashfield v St Anthony's, Newmains Utd v Gartcairn. McBookie.com Ayrshire District Division: Ardeer Thistle v Craigmark, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Lugar Boswell, Muirkirk v Dalry Thistle, Irvine Vics v Maybole, Saltcoats Vics v Whitletts Vics.