Dougie MacDuff reckons a ‘Who Dares Wins’ attitude is behind Irvine Victoria’s impressive start to their league campaign.
The Westenders came from behind twice to win 2-1 at Bellshill last Saturday with boss MacDuff likening the performance to an SAS-style raid.
Vics have now won five West of Scotland League Third Division games on the bounce and are sitting pretty in fourth place in the table.
And boss MacDuff believes a big part of their success is down to a new found mental fortitude.
He said: “This was the kind of fixture I call an SAS job - get in, get the job done and get out.
“It’s never easy to come to Bellshill. We lost twice here last season.
“They came from 3-0 down to win 4-3 in their last game and on top of that, they’ve just appointed a new management team.
“We knew we’d have to roll the sleeves up for this one so for us to come back twice and win is really pleasing.
“I’ve been trying to brainwash the boys about how important it is to keep this run going.
“I’ve told them they don’t want to be sitting in the house at 9pm on a Saturday thinking I wish I’d done this or that and it seems to be getting through to them.”
Kieran Markey fired Bellshill ahead in 33 minutes when he turned home a loose ball in the Vics box.
But Vics levelled matters, albeit fortuitously, just before the break when Shane Jackson netted with a looping cross-cum-shot.
There was more than a hit of controversy as the hosts regained the lead early in the second half.
Referee Barry Feery called a halt to a promising Bellshill attack with Vics’ ace Maxwell down on the ground with a head knock.
The result was an uncontested dropped ball on the edge of the Vics penalty box, which was immediately swung in by Ross Girdwood and headed home by Markey.
Vics responded well to the setback and Jackson made it 2-2 in 70 minutes when he killed Justin Smith’s back post cross with his chest and placed a shot into the opposite corner of the net.
Then with six minutes left, Maxwell slid home the winner after the Bellshill defence failed to cut out a cross from the right.
Vics are away to First Division Rossvale in the second round of the South Challenge Cup this Friday night.
MacDuff added: “The league is our bread and butter but it’s a chance for our boys to play higher league opposition and show ‘I’m better than them.’
• Vics have strengthened their attacking options with the signing of striker Alessandro Savarese from Forth Wanderers.
The 28-year-old is vastly experienced having played for the likes of Cambuslang Rangers and Bellshill.
Boss Dougie MacDuff said: “He’s a player I took note of a long time ago when I was watching games.
“He’s an all-round frontman - good with his back to goal, can link-up, and also play the No 10 role.”
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