East Fife boss targets three points from Dumbarton visit

That 2-0 win at Bayview was yet another solid performance from the Methil men on their home patch, but, away from home, they have struggled and are yet to pick up a point on their travels.

In fairness, Young’s men have faced tough trips to the likes of Falkirk, Partick and Cove, and the Methil manager says his side aren’t too far away from where they want to be at the end of the first round of fixtures.

Young said: “It’s a good wee three points coming up to Christmas. The league is still really tight and everyone is beating everyone.

“It’ll be that way until the end of the season, so it’s up to us to get as many points on the board as soon as possible.

“We always like to get to that 10 to 13 points target at the start of the season and we’re on 10 just now with a game in hand.

“If we win that, then we’re where we want to be.

“It’s a shorter season, so hopefully we can get on a wee run now.”

This weekend it’s a trip to Dumbarton to face a Sons side who’ll be smarting after a 4-0 thumping at Montrose.

Young is hoping to heap more misery on Jim Duffy’s men.

“There’s usually a lot of goals in these games, so we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

“We’ve assessed the squad and it looks like everyone should be fine fitness wise.”

The Fifers have announced that young midfielder Liam Newton has signed an extension that will keep him at Bayview until at least the summer of 2022.

The 18-year-old was promoted from the under-20s’ squad in the summer.