HAMILTON HAILED THE HAT-TRICK HERO AS ASSURED ARBROATH DISMISS DARVEL
ARBROATH manager Dick Campbell hailed Jack Hamilton as his hat-trick ensured there would be no Scottish Cup shock against Darvel.
Hamilton returned to Arbroath, where he was on loan last season, at the start of this month to replace Joel Nouble, who went back to their parent club Livingston.
Campbell said: ‘Jack got his hat-trick and did very well. He’s not a big, flashy player like Nouble but he’s a straight replacement.
‘Nouble got four goals for us (in the league) and Jack’s got four goals in two games. I was delighted for him and he took his hat-trick very well.’
Darren Miller fired over after his initial shot was blocked as West of Scotland Premier Division outfit Darvel started with confidence.
However, Arbroath began to take control and Hamilton broke the deadlock in 28 minutes.
Craig Wighton played his part in the opener as he broke forward and then played a through ball for Hamilton, who skipped past Daryl Meggatt inside the area and clinically finished past goalkeeper Chris Truesdale.
In 68 minutes, substitute Bobby Linn produced some trickery inside the area to create space and then dinked in a cross for Hamilton to head home.
In injury-time, Hamilton notched his hat-trick as sub Luke Donnelly played a ball across the face of goal and he was on hand to divert it into the net.
Darvel have relished their first time in the Scottish Cup and manager Michael Kennedy said: ‘It was probably a step too far for us.
‘It’s been a fantastic journey for the club and the community but it’s now about getting back to league duty.’