Vics go seven-up
County duo join six others in third round ties
Blantyre Vics and Lanark United won their Macron Scottish Cup second round replays in style to progress in the competition.
Vics stepped up the pace somewhat from their 2-2 home draw to Vale of Clyde to win the replay 7-0, with striker Jake Hughes bagging four of the goals.
Amazingly, six of the goals came in the second half against a side that was eventually reduced to nine men.
Chris Walker headed in a Lewis Macdonald corner to open the scoring, then Vale were reduced to 10 men for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Ryan Connolly’s cross was headed in by Hughes for the first of his goals, then after Walker had a header saved, Macdonald set up Connolly to score in 70 minutes.
Nine minutes later sub Fraser Allan sent a chip through to Hughes to smash in his second, and he completed his hat-trick in 83 minutes from another Macdonald set-up.
When the Vale keeper failed to hold a shot, Declan Brown took advantage to put Vics 6-0 up in 86 minutes, and after the hosts had another player sent off, Allan set up Hughes for his fourth of the afternoon to wrap things up.
Vics manager John Gibson said: “It was a good result, we played really well, particularly in the second half when we went from being 1-0 ahead to 7-0 at the finish.”
Lanark were in control for most of their game against Whitletts Vics, and ran out 2-0 winners.
Cammy Lawson had a secondminute free-kick saved by keeper Martin Fraser, who then produced two good saves to deny Ian Watt.
At the other end, Lanark keeper Gareth Hallford produced a terrific double save to keep his side in the cup tie in 50 minutes.
United took the lead in 75 minutes when Lewis Hill’s cross was snapped up at the edge of the box by Stuart Annetts.
Three minutes later, Ian Watt broke clear on the left and cut inside to leave Fraser helpless with a low shot.
The county duo didn’t have long to wait to discover their third-round opponents, as they joined six others in Tuesday afternoon’s draw.
A derby came quickly out of the hat as Lanark United were drawn at Wishaw.
Carluke Rovers and Royal Albert were also rewarded with home ties, against Hermes and Harthill, respectively.
Lesmahagow travel to Auchinleck Talbot in a repeat of Sunday’s Sectional League Cup final, Bellshill Athletic are at Kilwinning Rangers, Shotts Bon Accord are at Largs Thistle, and Blantyre Vics visit Pumpherston in the third round.