SIX months into their odyssey from the Juniors, Sauchie's chairman insists the club are heading in the right direction.

Having made the leap into the East of Scotland League at the end of last season, the Reds are flying high in their quest to make the Lowland League.

Iain Diack's young and hungry side have already secured big wins against the likes of Edinburgh University and Burntisland Shipyard as they sit third in the table.

And for club chairman and Sauchie veteran Noel Dalli the first half of the season has provided plenty of encouragement.

He told Advertiser Sport: "We've certainly settled into the set up well and the first six months of the season have been pretty pleasing.

"It's been an easy transition and the league have been very accommodating with all of the new teams.

"We're in the mix and are reasonably happy with the way things are going, although it's unfortunate that we've lost Darren Petrie for the season.

"What I am hoping is that we can have as good a second half to the season as we have had a first."

If Sauchie can maintain their good run and finish in the top five, they would qualify for a new league that will be formed at the end of the season.

Sitting just below the Lowland League, it will be made up of the top teams from the existing East of Scotland Conferences.

As part of the transition, the club has invested heavily in Beechwood Park to bring it up to standard as the club seeks its full licence.

Admittedly, glory ties against Rangers or even local rivals Alloa would still be a long way away. But, Dalli sees no reason why Sauchie shouldn't aim as high as possible.

He continued: "The objective is to finish in the top five and then we will qualify for the 'superleague'.

"For us, continuous improvement is what it is all about and the ultimate is that we will play in the Senior leagues.

"In fairness, we've met a lot of the Lowland League sides in cup ties already and the results have been favourable. So, we're not particularly worried about the step up to that league.

"We're not going to be playing Celtic or Rangers anytime soon, but we want to play at as high a level as possible."