Kirkpatrick on the mark for impressive Loons
forfar ath 1 Morton 0
Fo r f a r continued their warm- up for the League Cup campaign with an impressive win against Championship outfit Morton.
Morton started brightly and should have taken the lead when striker Kalvin Orsi found himself all alone inside the Forfar penalty area, but he could only divert the looping cross into the arms of the grateful Marc Mccallum.
But it was the home side who took the lead in the 14th minute when Dale Hilson hit the byline and hooked the ball back across goal for Jordan Kirkpatrick to slot home.
The Loons’ Connor Coupe was then denied by both the bar and keeper Sam Ramsbottom.
Forfar’s dominance continued into the second half, Ramsbottom pulling off a wonder save to deny Hilson in the 47th minute.
Despite Orsi failing to convert a number of chances, Forfar held on for an impressive, albeit comfortable, pre-season victory.
RAITH 2 spartans 0
Raith had a comfortable win over Spartans, but had to be content with two first-half goals.
The Fifers took control early on and got their reward in 15 minutes when Grant Anderson raced clear of the Spartans defence to slot home.
Ross Matthews came close to a second moments later after some slack defensive play, but his shot slipped inches wide.
Raith added to their lead nine minutes from the break when trialist Matthew Knox scored with an inspired 30-yard shot.
The home side should have scored more after the break and goalkeeper Blair Carswell did well to save from the influential Regan Hendry and Anderson.
albion Rovers 1 Hamilton accies 3
Hamilton blew away a few cobwebs with a pre-season victory over local rivals Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill.
Goals from Jack Breen, Mickel Miller and Niyah Joseph disposed of their League 2 opponents, who replied with a Declan Byrne penalty.
Hamilton’s opening Premier fixture is still weeks away, but boss Brian Rice squashed suggestions the League Cup is merely part of the pre- season build-up.
“I certainly won’t take it lightly because if I do, then the players will, too,” he argued. “Everybody wants to reach the League Cup Final in November, so I expect us to be full- on next week because that’s when the season starts.
“The Albion game was exactly what I expected. I told the lads it’s a test of character whenever you play lower- league teams – and I couldn’t question our character today.
“Quite a few players got some game time, which is a big plus, and Niyah Joseph made his first appearance and scored a good goal. Hamilton’s history is about giving players a pathway to the first team, and Niyah deserved his chance.”
fraserburgh 1 peterhead 2
Peterhead made the short trip north to Fraserburgh in a testimonial match for longserving defender Ryan Christie.
New signing Luke Barbour made an instant impact for the Broch, setting up Scott Barbour to drill a left- footer into the corner after just six minutes.
Derek Lyle equalised for the visitors in 36 minutes, netting a cross by Jamie Stevenson.
Midway through the half, Lyle headed home his second of the match to give Peterhead the win.
KIRRIE th 1 east fife 4
East Fife opened the scoring early on, Danny Denholm netting from close range.
But the hosts replied almost straightaway, Stewart Russell finishing well.
East Fife stepped up a gear, though, Lewis Hunter a nd Denholm again netting before the break.
The visitors were dominant after the break and Liam Watt made it 4-1 after some good work by Anton Dowds.
Denholm was a constant threat for East Fife and, on another day, could have scored five or six in the second 45.
Cove 2 Montrose 1
On the week Cove Rangers appointed former Scotland midfielder and Dundee manager Paul Hartley as their boss, the Aberdeen side entertained Montrose.
Martin Scott scored for Cove after 50 minutes as he knocked home a deflected shot.
Martin Scott doubled the lead from a penalty just after the hour mark, firing into the bottom right hand corner.
With 10 minutes to go, Cove keeper Stuart Mckenzie saved a shot from Lewis Milne, but Andrew Steeves headed home the rebound as the Gable Endies grabbed a consolation.