The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Early blitz helps Hibs demolish Downfield
JUNIORS: Fife team were 3-0 up after only six minutes
Three goals in the opening six minutes were Thornton Hibs’ passport to a 5-2 Super League home win over Downfield.
Garry Thomson, Ben Anthony and Adam Drummond were the marksmen in that early onslaught before Jordan Garden pulled one back for the Spiders after 17 minutes.
A Ross Gallacher goal six minutes from time gave hope of salvaging a point, but that was quickly extinguished when Anthony completed his hat-trick.
In a classic game of two halves, Kirrie Thistle came from behind to win 4-1 at home to Carnoustie Panmure.
Deservedly leading thanks to Sam Simpson’s penalty at the interval, the Gowfers collapsed in the second half as Thistle outclassed them.
Ryan Kerrigan equalised after 57 minutes and then a Paul Sludden strike and a Dale Reid double earned Chris Kettle’s side three important points.
Kinnoull’s 3-1 win away to previously unbeaten Premier League leaders North End has blown the title race wide open.
Ben Ragan scored Kinnoull’s first two goals in the first half followed by Gary Sutherland pulling one back for the Dokens, before a third from Mark Smith clinched the points for the visitors.
Third-place Luncarty were shocked by visitors Forfar Albion taking the lead after 15 minutes through Fraser Sturrock, but their joy was short-lived as Kieran Donald quickly levelled for the Bleachers who then eased to a 5-1 victory courtesy of Richard Doig and Fraser Mills, with Doig and Donald each completing doubles.
Pumpherston’s relentless march to the East Premier League South title continued, their 3-0 home win over Kirkcaldy YM taking them 16 points clear of nearest rivals Armadale and Livingston.
Ally McRitchie opened the scoring after 10 minutes and Lee Fairley doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time. McRitchie’s second four minutes after the restart completed the scoring.
In the Thorntons Property League Cup, Broughty Athletic swamped Coupar Angus 18-0 at Foxhall Park, taking their aggregate total in the two Section A meetings to a staggering 32 goals.
Ross McCord took the individual scoring honours with a quintet, Kevin Milne managed four and Graham Hay helped himself to a hat-trick. There were doubles for Paul McLennan and Marc Scott, while Stewart McConnachie and Greig McNaughton also scored.
In Section B, Scone Thistle were comfortable 3-0 winners at Arbroath Vics.
Aaron McKay headed Thistle in front after nine minutes and 10 minutes after the interval Martin Strachan added the second.
On 90 minutes Vics’ Kellon Lyons was dismissed following a second caution and three minutes into stoppage time the home keeper fouled Aaron Carlin in the box for a penalty.
Harp came from behind at the interval to shock Super League Tayport at Downfield in Section C. Dayle Robertson had given Port an interval lead from a penalty, but Harp hit back after the break with former Canniepairt men coming back to haunt their old club.
After Lloyd Young had bagged a brace, Connaire Connelly added a third.
Forfar West End completed their four fixtures with a 4-0 win at Brechin Vics to top Section D , but Kirrie Thistle can still overtake them.
A late Craig Batchelor strike put West End ahead just before the break and a Jamie Montgomery counter and Mike McIlravey’s double completed what ultimately was a comfortable win.
East Craigie were in impressive form to see off rivals Violet 4-1 as they qualified from Section E. Nik Mann, Andy McDonald, Adam Brown and Rory Faulkner counted for the Shipbuilders, with Violet’s consolation coming from a Sean Tucker penalty.
Perhaps it was because they had already qualified, but Lochee United made hard work in overcoming a spirited Blairgowrie 2-0 in Section F.
That was despite Grant Lawson firing them in front on 15 minutes and Kevin Buchan bulleting home a header 10 minutes from the break.
Glenrothes twice battled back from a goal down to come home with a point from their Section G trip to South League side Bathgate Thistle.
Lee Celentano cancelled out the first and John Martin the second.
Kennoway Star Hearts were 3-0 winners at Newburgh to stay top of Section H.
Dylan Muir and James Collins were on target in the first half with Ross Brewster getting the third.
Lochgelly Albert posted their first Section J point after a 1-1 draw at Stoneyburn. Darren Ormiston scored to give the Berts an interval advantage, but the hosts levelled after the break.
Though it finished goalless, Rosyth’s Section K visit to West Calder was a game which had everything bar goals.
While the result ended Recs’ outside hopes of qualifying, barring a real upset when Kinnoull meet West Calder, the Perth men will go through.
Section L remains wide open after Lochore Welfare’s 2-2 draw at Livingston United.
Welfare had to thank a Joe Kinnonmonth double for a share of the spoils.
In the North Region, Montrose Roselea had a disappointing and frustrating day in a 2-1 defeat at Dyce that sees them slip to fourth in the title race. James Collier’s men went down to Michael Taylor’s 75th minute winner after Stephen Greig had cancelled out Ian Leith’s opener just on half-time.