Battling Thorn blow Fifers away with six of the best
Cup hopes for Johnstone side
Craig Ritchie Six-shooters Thorn Athletic cruised into the last 32 of the RJM Sports Scottish Cup after a convincing win over Fife outfit Burntisland United.
The game finally got the go-ahead at the third attempt after the weather had wreaked havoc with the first two scheduled dates.
And the Johnstone side rallied after an early blip to blow their rivals away and set up a clash with Lanarkshire outfit Eddlewood for a place in the last-16.
Thorn will be attempting to make history with the February 4 clash by going beyond the sixth round for the first time ever in the national cup competition.
James Donnelly’s side had been idle since the first week in December, and despite a number of friendly matches, training sessions and the addition of former Falkirk and Queen of the South left-back Jamie McQuilken there was concerns over rustiness.
And surely enough the home side found themselves behind inside the first 10 minutes when Burntisland took advantage of sloppy defending at a corner to head home the opener.
But that sparked Thorn to life and Alan Wilson’s 30- yard free- kick brought them level after 20 minutes.
And they took the lead moments later when Dean Scott fired in a shot that took a slight deflection and looped into the far right corner.
It was one-way traffic at this point and Craig McMahon evaded his marker at a corner to nod home the third.
And the tie was effectively put to be before halftime when Jordan Devine broke free down the right before sliding a low finish under the keeper from a tight angle.
It was more of the same in the second half when McMahon was unleashed with a ball over the top and he lobbed the oncoming keeper to make it 5-1 to the hosts.
And finally, Devine put the icing on the cake with number six after a neat finish from inside the box.
Manager Donnelly said: “After such a long layoff it was always going to be a hard game to come back into but the boys coped well after a slow start.
“We have a very competitive squad and we are still in every competition with a lot of very hard games to come.
“But we are through this one and now we face a tough away trip in the next round. But hopefully the boys will be up for it.
“These cup runs have left us a bit behind in the league so we are going to have a busy schedule.”
Thorn Athletic travel to East Kilbride this week to face East Kilbride Rolls Royce in the fourth round of the West of Scotland Cup.
Meanwhile, the club have released tickets for their gala end of season awards dinner at St Mirren Park on Friday, May 26.
They are seeking a sponsor for this high-profile event and if you or your company would be interested in getting involved, or securing a table for this event, contact Mark McGee on 07887551234 or see players/committee.