AFTER more than three decades in the game, Kilbirnie Ladeside boss Budgie McGhie said Saturday's surprise win at Pollok was one of the "most enjoyable" of his football career.

The new-look Garnock Valley team defeated the big-spending Newlandsfield Park hosts 4-2 in the opening Premier Division game.

And McGhie, who took charge in the summer after leaving Clydebank in January, admitted he had been focusing on the league, using the Ardagh Glass League Cup campaign to get the revamped team into shape.

He was delighted with his team's display and said: "That has to be one of my most enjoyable results in football, especially since a lot of people were talking about how Pollok were a very good side and had spent a lot on new players. We had been preparing for this game all summer and went up there probably with names few people had heard of and won the game. The good thing was that we were on the front foot most of the game and we hustled and harried them.

"It was great to score four goals away from home and it was a great team effort, I wouldn't single anyone out."

However he cautioned: "Our aim at first is to make sure we stay up and it's good to get three points on the board early. We have our first home league game against Girvan and saw them last year so wasn't surprised at how well they did. Peter Leonard has them well prepared and we expect a tough game."

Ardrossan Winton Rovers boss Sandy MacLean was full of praise for goalscorer Jamie McKenna, signed from Port Glasgow in the summer, as his team easily defeated title favourites Irvine Vics 3-1 away in the opening District League match.

MacLean said: "We had a great attitude to the game and had been preparing for it. We were in a tough section in the League Cup so we used the games as preparation for the league. I thought Jamie McKenna was excellent up front and he led the line well, chased everything and gave the Irvine Vics defence a torrid time all afternoon, we played well as a team and deserved to win the game. Irvine Vics are a good side."

Winton have no game this weekend as they are the spare team in an 11-team league. They next host Lugar Boswell Thistle on Saturday, September 2.

Beith manager Johnny Millar was impressed with his team's display as they began their Premier Division campaign with a 1-0 win at Hurlford.

He said: "That's the first time we have won there and we played well. It's a tough place to go and not many teams will pick up points."

On Saturday they host defending champions and treble winners Glenafton Athletic and Millar said: "Glenafton are a good side but if we want to be up near the top we have to win games like that and we must aim to take the three points."