Arthurlie manager Colin Reilly is backing Dylan Dykes to have a major impact this season after deciding to deploy his new recruit as a striker.

Dykes, who joined the Barrhead club in the summer, was the match-winner against Benburb on Saturday as he bagged a brace in a 2-1 victory.

The 27-year-old former Pollok player now has four goals from three games, having also netted twice against Cumnock Juniors on the opening day of the league campaign.

Dykes, who recently recovered from cancer, had previously been used to playing as an attacking midfielder but Reilly is reaping the rewards of using him in a more advanced role.

“Dylan has been fantastic," said Reilly. “I’ve known him for a while and was keen to work with him and he’s certainly made a good impact. Long may it continue.

“The way we play, I think he suits the striker position by bringing other people into the game.

“He has played wide or in the hole behind the striker but I think, with the way we play, that suits him and us better.”

Arthurlie fell behind at Dunterlie Park on Saturday but responded with goals from Dykes after 20 and 37 minutes to gain the advantage.

Reilly said that, once his players got to grips with their opponents, there was only going to be one winner.

He added: “It was good to walk away with all three points.

"In the first 20 minutes, we were under the cosh and under pressure and we didn’t really deal with their power up top and the way they were trying to play.

“Once we got to terms with that and got the ball down and played, we were the far better side and deserved the victory."

It was a welcome win for Arthurlie, who had lost 3-2 at Rob Roy last Wednesday night, and Reilly is keen for his players to turn Dunterlie into a fortress this season.

He said: “We want to make sure we win all our home games and make it difficult for anyone to come here and collect points.”

Arthurlie are on the road this weekend as they travel to Irvine Meadow and, despite their opponents failing to record a victory in their opening three games, Reilly insists he is taking nothing for granted.

“Meadow are a big club, with lots of quality," he said. "We’ll approach it in the right manner and try to get three points.”

Kick-off at Meadow Park on Saturday is at 2pm.