IRVINE Meadow co-boss Colin Spence was full of praise for his side’s performance as they earned their first home league win of the season after a 2-0 victory over Bonnyton Thistle at Meadow Park.

Second-half goals from Connor Boyd and Neil Slooves saw Meadow return to winning ways in the league as they bounced back from their home defeat to Hurlford two weeks earlier and made it three wins from their opening four games.

After last week’s impressive display against Broxburn Athletic in the Soccer Shop Challenge Cup, Spence was delighted that his side carried that momentum into the league and told the Times: “It was another tough game. Bonnyton came and did not surprise us.

“They try and play football the right way and they made it difficult for us and at half-time there was not much in the game and it was very even.

“We told the boys at the break they had to be braver and get the defence 10 yards up the park to get the game pushed up.

“I felt that worked and we got a foothold in the second-half.

“I felt we were the better team from that point and it was a case of getting that first goal.

“We brought Jamie Martin on and he gave us some magic and he unlocked the door and Connor put the ball away with a great finish.

“I felt it was going to be a one goal game and the first goal was always going to be key but it was great to get the second to give us that bit of breathing space.

“It’s really pleasing to get another clean sheet because the boys at the back are working ever so hard and Kyle Marley, every time he is called into action he produces a big save and he did that on Saturday again so that gives us a platform to go and win games.”

This Saturday, Meadow host favourites for the title Darvel with Spence relishing the challenge.

Both clubs go into the game level on nine points and just three from early pacesetters Clydebank.

He said: “Darvel have made a lot of noise and have spent a lot of money but that means absolutely nothing to us.

“Our players will relish the game and I expect three points.”