Tranent eyeing an upturn

TRANENT boss Brian Johnston is confident his side can bounce back from defeats to Fauldhouse and Sauchie in their opening two games in the East Region's South League.

"I said to the players in training on Tuesday that we may have lost two battles but we've not lost the war," said Johnston. "That is fought over 26 games and I know we are up for it. We got off to a slow start last season as well and need to fight to get through this bad wee spell."

Tranent, who were pipped to the title by Broxburn last season, just missed out on a place in the semi-finals of the League Cup. But their efforts in that competition have come at a cost, with Johnston likely to have only 13 fit players for tomorrow's home clash with Blackburn. Brian White is out with a broken metatarsal, while Mel Graham and Mark Ellis were both injured against Bonnyrigg. Then, in the opening league game, Stephen Tait suffered a sore one in a tackle that earned Fauldhouse's Jamie Gallacher a red card.

"It was one of the most horrendous tackles I've ever seen and Stephen might not play again this season," said Johnston.