Dalbeattie Star gaffer Eddie Warwick was pleased his side’s work on the training ground eventually paid off against St Cuthbert Wanderers.
The South of Scotland League champs ran out 5-0 winners at St Mary’s Park, a week after beating the same opposition 8-0 at home.
But it wasn’t until the second half that the goals began to flow, with Star only one goal up at the interval.
Warwick said: “We weren’t pleased with the final third and our decision making. We had a word at half-time and at least three of the goals were right off the training pitch, so it was worth it!
“That for me is more pleasing – when you see them taking something from it.
“We knew it was going to be a narrower pitch and a plastic pitch and we’d need to be more drilled in terms of breaking them down.
“We reduced the size of our training pitch to congest the middle area to take our play round the sides and reduce our touches.
“I’m not saying we didn’t do that in the first half, it just wasn’t quick enough. There were too many touches at the back and before we could cross the ball, there were eight or nine jerseys in front of us. You’ve got to build play quickly and move into the danger areas and that’s what we did in the second half.
“They were hard to break down in the first half and well drilled. Their goalie had to come up trumps a few times and we crashed the bar. The message was take what they do on the training field and start taking their opportunities.”
Kyle Higgins had given Star the lead after just nine minutes but the second didn’t arrive until Dale Milligan found the net five minutes after the break.
Cammy Shaw secured the points when he scored 20 minutes from the end, Ross Hunter also getting in on the act before Shaw rounded off the scoring.
Completing a good day was the return from injury of both Ross Hunter and Olly Meechan, with Star’s injury problems nearly over.
The win puts Star top of the league on goal difference and they can open the gap this weekend when they go to Upper Annandale, with nearest rivals Nithsdale Wanderers in cup action.
Warwick said: “We’re starting to put a good run together and we’re getting most of our players back. It’s only two weeks ago we were missing seven players so it’s credit to the strength and depth we’ve got.
“Saturday will be a hard game, I watched them on Friday and was really impressed by them.
“They’ve a few good players at the top end of the pitch who have had Lowland League experience and they’re dangerous going forward they’ve pace, power and skill, they’ve got youth and they’ve got legs..
“They’re well set up and it’s not an easy game, especially going to Lockerbie on the 3G, and we’re under no illusions how difficult it’ll be.”
Saturday’s defeat leaves Saints third bottom of the South of Scotland League.
This weekend they head to Abbey Vale in the first round of the Haig Gordon Cup.