Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Sutherland shocks Lochee with treble
A SEVEN-MINUTE hat-trick, scored by Gary Sutherland, consigned Lochee United to their second Super League defeat at North End.
Lochee looked the more composed side in the first half and they took the lead in 19 minutes when Danny Miller headed powerfully into the roof of the net from a Logan Davie corner.
Despite having the bulk of possession, the Bluebells found it difficult to break down a stuffy home defence and they couldn’t add to their tally before the interval.
But the game was turned on its head in seven crazy minutes at the start of the second half.
Five minutes after the restart, a fine run by Ryan Rigden ended with his cross being swept into the net by Sutherland.
It got worse for the visitors five minutes later. A short pass back was picked up and squared to Sutherland, who picked his spot from 10 yards.
The Lochee nightmare was complete when a long ball was picked up by Sutherland and he slotted home to complete his treble.
The Bluebells tried hard to get back in the game but they became more and more frustrated as their attempts were blocked by a resilient home defence and, in the end, the Dokens ran out worthy winners.
Meanwhile, league leaders Carnoustie had few problems against Downfield, cruising to a 4-0 win.
It took them a while to break down a stuffy Spiders defence but, once Ryan Dignan gave them the lead in 36 minutes, the win was never in doubt.
Sam Simpson doubled their lead in 61 minutes, then he struck again from a penalty in 74 minutes.
Pat Martin put the icing on the cake for the hosts when he slotted in a fourth just on time.
Broughty Athletic’s recent loan signing Ryan Connelly netted a hattrick in a nine-goal topsy-turvy game at Whitton Park against Luncarty.
The Fed took the lead in eight minutes through Ross McCord, only for the visitors to level from a Chris Anton penalty in 18 minutes.
The Fed regained the lead through Bryan Duell in 36 minutes and, 10 minutes into the second half, Connelly made it three before adding No 4 with 25 minutes to go.
Luncarty pulled one back through Calum Kirkcaldy in 77 minutes only for McCord to add another for the hosts from a penalty.
The goal spree continued when an Alassan Jones own goal gifted Luncarty a third.
However, Connelly had the final say when he completed his treble to make the final score 6-3 for Broughty.