Grove batter back of Beat net

Strathearn Grove welcomed The Beat to Crieff for a second round North of Tay Cup encounter on Saturday.

Both teams created chances in the early stages but the opener came when Josh Roberts sprinted on to a through ball from Chris McGraw and slotted it home.

The home team started to control the game and a second goal came from Dale Robson when he fired home from close range.

It was soon 3- 0 to the home side when Connor Stewart fired a 25-yard shot into the open goal after the keeper slipped and mishit his clearance.

The Grove’s fourth came when Lee Jack ran down the line and cut inside, only to see his cross turned into his own net by a visiting defender.

After the break Grove’s f o r ward momentum continued as Paddy Ward tapped home from a Josh Roberts free-kick to increase the local lads’ advantage.

Although the hosts took their foot off the gas a little, Roberts continued the scoring after a Robson through ball was sent across the keeper and into the net.

A seventh came when Roberts reacted quickly when his own effort came back off the post to set up Ward for his second of the afternoon.

Roberts completed a onesided affair by sealing his hat-trick and in the process scoring his side’s eighth.

Darren Reilly of Arista Windows sponsored the match ball and Pretoria Bar laid on hospitality after the match.

Grove are away to Alyth on Saturday this week in the league.