Chris Friel insists Saltcoats Vics are no longer West of Scotland League "whipping boys" as they put silverware in the trophy cabinet before the big kick-off.
The Seasiders clinched the Sheena Thomson Memorial Trophy for the first time yesterday after edging out new-look Irvine Vics 2-1 at Victoria Park.
Goals from Logan Stevenson and George Thomson put Saltcoats in the driving seat before Derek Kennedy's penalty set up a grandstand finish.
However, Saltcoats held on and assistant manager Friel admitted they wanted to end their trophy hoodoo in the memorial game as well as cheer up self-isolating gaffer Iain McMillan.
He told Ayrshire Live: "For myself and Silky [Iain], we both knew Sheena so this means a lot.
"We've never won it so we wanted to put that right and Silky's isolating so we wanted to do it for him as well. The boys done well and we're delighted.
"We knew we were fit and we were going to have a battle. They are a good team so we set ourselves up for that and we're happy with the outcome.
"Pre-season has gone really well. The boys' attitude has been first class, we've had good numbers at training and everybody has been taking everything on board.
"Three games, three wins. We couldn't ask for any more.
"Saltcoats Vics were the whipping boys for a long time – it's not that way any more. We don't want it to be that way and the boys are buying into it."
The Campbell Park outfit hope the only way is up after survivng the last 18 months without any gate money as they prepare for the new season.
Friel added: "We feel we're heading in the right direction and the committee is working really hard to get the park where they want it to be.
"We're working really hard to get the players in and get them to where we want them to be. The players are responding."
Saltcoats begin their Conference A campaign on Saturday, July 17 at home to Lugar Boswell Thistle.
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