Isaac Layne says Peterhead need to forget about their League Cup hopes for the time being as they prepare for the start of the League One season.
The Blue Toon’s 3-1 win over Brechin City on Tuesday at Balmoor – in which Layne bagged a brace – gives them six points from their opening two fixtures in Group C.
After beating the Hedgemen and Dundee United, the Buchan side have given themselves the chance to upset the odds and reach the last-16.
Peterhead complete their section with games against Kelty Hearts on November 10 and St Johnstone four days later.
An,d as thrilled as Layne is that the Blue Toon have the chance to cause a shock and progress from a group with two Premiership sides in it, the striker is keen to put those aspirations on the back burner.
On Saturday, Peterhead start their League One campaign away to Airdrieonians and face a further three league fixtures before the Kelty clash.
Layne, 25, said: “It’s a great chance for us as a squad. We’ve put ourselves in a good position, but that game (Kelty) is a while away.
“We can’t focus on that because we’ve got Airdrie to start the league season on Saturday and we need to do the right things in that game and in the other league games after that.
“We want to start the league in a positive fashion. It’s been seven months without league football and Airdrie isn’t an easy place to go, but we’ll prepare well and hopefully we can get a good result.”
Peterhead had Tuesday’s game against Brechin won in the first 25 minutes as they surged into a three-goal lead.
Layne was pleased the Blue Toon were able to follow up last weekend’s success at Tannadice with a win over the Hedgemen.
The player, who shook off a new knee knock suffered against Dundee United to face Brechin, added: “It was a professional performance from the boys. Personally, it was good to get two goals and there’s a good spirit in the squad just now.
“We played well on Saturday and shocked a lot of people by beating Dundee United.
“We kept that momentum going on Tuesday with a good win against Brechin and it sets us up nicely going forward.”
Layne opened his Peterhead account with his double against Brechin. For the first he blasted the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box, while his second was a deft flick.
He said: I know as a striker you are judged on goals so it was good to get two against Brechin.
“But it’s a long season and I’m wanting to get a few more – but the most important thing was the three points.”
Peterhead’s third against Brechin was another great long-range effort from Steven Boyd.
Manager Jim McInally was pleased with the quality of his side’s goals and also to see Layne hit the net.
He said: “It was good for Isaac to get off the mark and I thought they were all good in the first half and with the chances we had it could have been five or six.
“To see Isaac score a goal like he did and then Steven do the same, it was just a pity there was nobody here to see it.”
