Brian McEwan always thought Shettleston could be a Super First Division title contender - and now their 3-2 weekend home defeat of Pollok has convinced him of that.

The 25-year-old midfielder, on the recovery trail from a troublesome ankle injury that has laid him low for the past five months, looked on with glee as his Town team-mates came from 2-1 down to overcome their Glasgow rivals thanks to a storming finale of two stoppage-time goals.

And now the former Celtic and Kilmarnock signing is desperate to return to action and play his part in helping the sleeping East End giant awaken from its slumbers and

re-emerge as a potent Junior force.

He said: "Our winning goal from Danny Boyle has to be a contender for goal of the season. However, it was our overall play throughout the game rather than any moments of magic which impressed me most. Pollok have started the season well and are already being hailed as champions elect in some quarters yet on the evidence of Saturday's 90 minutes, you would have to say the two sides were very evenly matched.

"At 2-1 ahead and time running out, they were looking a good bet to pinch the points, but Pollok made the mistake of sitting deeper and deeper in trying to protect their lead and our guys made them pay the price.

"We are now sitting unbeaten with seven points out of a possible nine, which is s dream start to our season and one we have to build on if we are to remain in the promotion hunt long term."

Playmaker McEwan has targeted a return to action by the end of this month, however yet another key Shettleston playing ace, striker Scott Anson, is set to be available for this week's visit to face Yoker.

Brian added: "Scott has missed our last two games and last season it would have been a real worry where the goals would come from without him, but this time around everyone has contributed to share the burden.

"The key difference has been our transformation from being a team to having a decent squad, which allows the gaffer Hugh Kelly to freshen things up each and every week if he so chooses.

"Bringing on board the likes of Bryn Halliwell, Reece McGillion, Bob Campbell and Con Boyle is helping us compete at the right end of the table and long may it last."

Shettleston sit joint top of the Super First standings alongside Rob Roy, shock troops Ardeer Thistle and Rutherglen Glencairn, who are the only other team among the leading quartet with a league fixture to fulfil this coming Saturday.

Glens boss Willie Harvey will be urging his playing charges to bounce back from dropping their first points of the season in 1-1 stalemate against Thorniewood United when Greenock visit the Clyde Gateway Stadium.

However, arguably the game of the day in the Super First stakes is the Newlandsfield showdown between Pollok and early season form horses and Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup finalists Cumbernauld United. who ran out stunning 7-3 winners over Neilston in a game of four converted penalty kicks - three of them for John Queen's side.

SATURDAY JUNIORS

Kick-offs 2pm

Euroscot Eng League Cup semi-final: Wishaw v Blantyre Vics.

Stagecoach Super Premier: Shotts Bon Accord v Arthurlie, Petershill v Clydebank, Hurlford v Auchinleck Talbot.

Super First: Yoker v Shettleston, Pollok v Cumbernauld, Neilston v Thorniewood, Rutherglen Glencairn v Greenock, Maybole v Kilsyth Rangers, Pollok v Cumbernauld.

Central First: Ashfield v Carluke Rovers, Bellshill Athletic v Vale of Clyde, Larkhall Thistle v Maryhill, St Anthony's v Benburb, Lanark Utd v Renfrew, Dunipace v Lesmahagow.

Central Second: Newmains Utd v Royal Albert , Johnstone Burgh v Cambuslang Rangers, Port Glasgow v Glasgow Perthshire, St Roch's v Vale of Leven, Forth v East Kilbride Thistle.