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PAUL Hartley praised the players for maintaining our amazing home record in the SPFL after beating East Fife 3-1 at Balmoral Stadium in our League One opener.

We also won all 14 of our home League Two matches played last season.

The manager said: “It’s brilliant that we’ve managed to make it 15 home wins on the bounce. We had spoken to the players about the importance of doing well at Balmoral, especially now that we’ve moved up a division.”

“It’s also great to get another opening day win, which will help us as we try to get into our stride at this level. It was deserved because there was some really good play from us at times – we could have scored more goals.”

“I was disappointed with the goal we lost, but it was all about getting that first three points on the board, so well done to the lads for doing that. East Fife were dangerous at times and gave us enough reminders of just how tough this league is.”

“Every side has players who are dangerous at the top end of the pitch and ones who can defend well when needed. But our players managed to deal with that and earned the win.”

Skipper Mitch Megginson scored twice, with summer signing Leighton McIntosh also opening his league account for the club.

Mitch also missed a penalty, but manager Paul wasn’t too concerned by that.

“That happens to every striker from time to time,” the Gaffer said.

“They also keep going until they get other chances to score, which is exactly what Mitch did. He took both of his goals very well.”

“I’m also pleased to see Leighton get off the mark, it was a good day for both strikers.”

Cub captain Mitch said: “There’s not much I can say about the penalty, it was terrible.

“I’m just grateful to the lads for setting me up for the two goals after that and that they helped win what we always knew was going to be a tough game.”

East Fife were reduced to nine men over the course of the 90 minutes, with one of the red cards shown to Danny Denholm for a tough challenge on Mitch, who said: “I feel it was the right decision but I think we would have won the game anyway, we created plenty of chances.”

Our next match is away to Peterhead next weekend and the manager warned that will probably be even more testing than the clash with East Fife was.

He said: “It’s a 27 game league this season and every single one of those is going to be a huge challenge for us.

“We are going to have to be on it right from the off every time we go out there.”

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