Glens ease into next round
The Glens built on the momentum of their recent back-to-back league wins with this comfortable Scottish Junior Cup round one victory over Kirriemuir.
Willie Harvey made two changes to the line-up with KP McAllister replacing Jack Baker in goal and Stewart Hall returning in place of Del McNab.
Jamie Hamilton went close for the hosts in the first minute but could not keep his rising , curling free kick down.
There was a warning for The Glens in the second minute however, as Greg Fairweather’s header at the back post went just wide of McAllister’s post.
The visitors went close again in the 12th minute when Allan Cruickshank linked with Gary Archibald and his square pass set up Connor MacLeod who fired wide of goal from 12 yards.
Jay McKay then linked cleverly with Hamilton on the edge of the penalty before McKay’s shot bounced off the chest of Sean Diamond before the keeper grabbed the loose ball.
The Glens got the breakthrough their play deserved in the 39th minute, McKay skipping past his marker to roll the ball to strike partner Liam Gormley who fired into the net.
The visitors emerged from the dressing rooms with a renewed energy but The Glens were still in control.
And the hosts gave themselves a comfortable lead in the 52nd minute when Gormley found space on the right edge of the box, and his square ball picked out Hall who drove the ball under Diamond to make it 2-0.
Three minutes later it was effectively game over for the visitors as they were reduced to 10 men when Gormley was deliberately fouled from behind by John Farquharson who received a red.
Alessandro Savarese replaced the injured Ryan McArdle before The Glens killed off any lingering hopes of a Thistle comeback in the 72nd minute. Hamilton ran directly at the heart of the defence before slipping his pass wide to McKay who returned the ball for his teammate to slot in the bottom corner.
And The Glens made sure they would be in the hat for the next round with a fourth goal in the 81st minute. Alessandro Savarese’s first effort was blocked by Diamond, only for him to stab the rebound home.