On-song Luncarty hit seven in cup rout
Mills the star man as he bags a hat-trick at Elgin
Luncarty players were singing from the same hymn sheet to advance into the next round of the Scottish Junior Cup on Saturday afternoon.
But manager Jon Kelly joked that his squad should stick to showing off their talents on the pitch after some loose vocals on the celebratory bus journey home.
The Bleachers were in seventh heaven after making the trip north and thumping New Elgin 7-0 to advance to the last 32 of the prestigious competition.
Throughout the 90 minutes, the travelling fans were singing in the rain as Kelly’s men put in a performance to be proud of.
And the boss said: “We had some good banter on the long journey home as the worst team from training last Thursday all had to give the bus a song.
“From what I witnessed not many should give up the day Kinnoull battled hard but lost out to Clydebank
job anytime soon. Credit has to go to the players on Saturday as I thought everything they did was outstanding.
“After a long journey up we then got out on to a pitch that looked like a tattie field.
“We also had rain bouncing off the ground but, with all this in mind, the whole squad’s attitude was spot on.”
Fraser Mills netted a hattrick to be crowned star
man but this was a real team performance which ensured a safe passage to the next round.
Midfielder Tony Holt chipped in with a double while Richard Doig kept up his goalscoring form to find the back of the net. An own goal completed the rout.
“Our high-tempo pressing was too much for the young Elgin side,” Kelly told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“Some of the football we played, even in those conditions, was great to watch from the side.
“Fraser Mills grabbed the headlines with his hat-trick which was well deserved through his workrate.
“We are now into the last 32 of the competition and we all can look forward to the draw. Ideally a nice little home draw would be good for us.”
There was no such celebrations for Kinnoull after they were defeated 3-0 by West Premiership side Clydebank at Tulloch Park.
Jordan Shelvey bagged a brace for the Bankies after Jamie Darroch had nodded home the opener, but the Perth side did cause the visitors problems.
Manager Alan Cameron said: “I felt we gave a good account of ourselves against a really good side.
“We created a number of chances that we unfortunately didn’t take. But we take the positives from the fact we were still able to create against such a quality team.”
Meanwhile, in the East Region Cup, Scone Thistle needed penalties to advance beyond a determined Forfar Albion in Angus.
The hosts seized a 16thminute advantage but in-form Max Avolio wasted little time in pulling the Jags back level.
Forfar, who sit second bottom of the Premier League North standings, then raced into a 3-1 lead not long after the hour mark.
But the battling Perthshire side hit back late on with Sean Whitworth making things interesting before Avolio completed the comeback.
Scone held their nerve to win the shootout 4-3 and book their ticket to the next stage of the competition.
In the Premier League North, Gordon Norrie’s hat-trick inspired Blairgowrie to a 5-2 win against Arbroath Vics.
Matty Adam and Gary Axworthy were also on the scoresheet at Davie Park.
Coupar Angus suffered another weekend defeat at Foxhall Park, going down 6-1 against Brechin Vics.
New Elgin ...... 0 Luncarty ........ 7