Settled defence providing perfect foundation for flying Lithgae, says Coyne

HOT-SHOT Tommy Coyne has deflected praise for Linlithgow’s unbeaten start to the season on to his team-mates at the other end of the park.

Coyne’s penalty-spot winner at Bonnyrigg a fortnight ago made it ten games unbeaten in the Super League for Mark Bradley’s men. They are nine points clear of local rivals Bo’ness with champions Bonnyrigg 21 points adrift of the leaders, albeit with four games in hand.

Coyne and fellow front men Gordon Herd and Colin Strickland linked up to great effect against Max Christie’s side, especially in the first half. However, the Scotland Junior star reckons the foundations for Lithgae’s flying start to the season has been built in defence.

“We’ve added a couple of players at the back (John Ovenstone and Jamie McKenzie) and that is helping us play with a bit of confidence, which I’d say has been the main difference this season,” said Coyne.

“We’ve got a more settled back four and we are not losing as many goals as we used to.

“We used to have to score two, three or four goals to win a game but now we are a lot tighter at the back and 
that’s helping breed confidence.”

After twice seeing efforts cleared off the line, Coyne was delighted to finally get on the scoresheet in a cracking game at New Dundas Park.

“It was a massive win for us at Bonnyrigg as they are the current champions so to go there and keep our unbeaten run going was fantastic,” added Coyne. “We’ve done well most of the season but I thought our first-half display against 
Bonnyrigg was up there with the best we’ve produced.”

Lithgae will be aiming to maintain their cushion by winning at Carnoustie tomorrow, but Coyne insists it is way too early in the season to be talking about title triumphs – having .

“I’ve been in situations before where we’ve started well but not followed it through,” he said.