BUDGIE McGHIE hopes a sizzling start can help his side take the same road to success as last season's promoted sides.

The Clydebank gaffer looked on enviously as both Largs Thistle and Lanark United started the 2008/09 campaign like the proverbial express train.

And when injuries and suspensions kicked in, both clubs were able to call on their huge reservoir of points to see them over the finishing line.

McGhie, who led Bankies to last season's Scottish Junior Cup Final, said: "There's nothing worse than playing catch-up after Christmas.

"Largs and Lanark had stacked up the points early doors and it certainly stood them in good stead."

Bankies' 3-1 win at relegated Neilston last Saturday handed Budgie a second successive league victory, but the manager was quick to point out that they achieved a similar start last term!

He said: "It was roughly around September and October that we hit our sticky patch so I'll declare it a good start if we can come through these months unscathed."

Bankies were leading 1-0 at half-time up at Brig O'Lea and Budgie said: "We passed up a couple of good opportunities so we really could have been a couple in front.

"Neilston put us under a bit of pressure at the start of the second half though and missed a couple of decent chances to equalise.

"Thankfully we weathered the storm, although, to be fair, it could really have gone either way. But we managed a couple of goals in the second period and I have to be pleased with the result.

"Neilston isn't an easy place to visit and, to be fair, they had a one-on-one with our goalkeeper while it was still 0-0."

Bankies were scheduled to host Glenafton last night but the postponement left them with a blank midweek, although Budgie reckons SJFA gaffers made the right decision.

However, he said: "In hindsight it may have been an idea to play during the last couple of midweeks, when the light was a bit better.

"But you live and learn and maybe it's something that'll be considered for next season."

Bankies travel to Annbank this Saturday and the hard-working boss reckons his side are in for a tough match.

He said: "We've yet to win at Annbank and this will be the third year in a row we've travelled there.

"They are a good side and are probably viewed as one of the smaller Ayrshire clubs by many in the Central Region, but they are far more than that.

"They beat Ashfield 3-0 last weekend and Ash-field qualified from our League Cup section, so it'll be tough.

"It's the same with Girvan and Maybole. You will never get an easy game against either of those sides. In fact, I reckon Girvan were one of the best teams in the league last season."

He added: "It's another good test for us and I'm sure the season will be full of them.

"We've fully established ourselves as a Super League team and it would be nice to be able to kick on and achieve the next step in our long-term goal.

"But I'm sure everyone wants to play Premier League football, and you have to earn the right to be there.

"The likes of Largs and Kilbirnie have shown they can hack it in the top flight, although it's early days.

"I'm happy with the start we've made, but the proof will be in the pudding when, and if, we can maintain our decent start to the season."