Sibanda to the four as Cupar overcome spirited opponents.

Saturday 24th September 2011.

Kingdom Caledonian League.

Cupar Hearts travelled to face Bowhill Rovers on a perfect day for football with the much welcomed September sunshine.

Darren Doyle was first to show in front of goal for Bowhill on 5 minutes when he gathered a long ball that cut through the Hearts defence but his effort went straight to the keeper. Three minutes later a foul on David Byrne presented the home side with a free kick opportunity but it was headed over. Moments later Iain Boylan for Cupar had a shot well saved before Iain O’Leary was unlucky not to open the scoring. Christopher Gay in between the home sticks did excellently to get a hand to O’Leary’s shot forcing it off the post and then eventually gathering it. Cupar Hearts did open the scoring on 16 minutes when the referee pointed to the spot after a foul on Barry Sibanda by Sam Kirkham. Captain Charles Anderson stepped up and make no mistake with his powerful kick. Bowhill quickly tried to get back on level terms straight from the restart with another effort by Doyle by it failed to trouble Hearts keeper McEwan. New signing John Little had a good chance in front of goal but he headed over. Tommy Halley should have made it 2 when he blasted over from close range. Bowhill equalised on 33 minutes through Darren Doyle when he nipped through the Hearts back line leaving them all appealing for offside and fired the ball into the back of the net. But it would be the visitors who would have the final say of the half when Barry Sibanda headed home an expertly placed corner by Iain Boylan with seconds remaining.

Cupar Hearts settled early in the second period and began to take control of the game. O’Leary set up Sibanda on 51 minutes but his effort was wide. Then a quick free kick by John Little to Iain Boylan caught the home side off guard but Boylan was unlucky to see his shot come back off the cross bar and was eventually fired wide. At the other end Jamie Gay for Bowhill had a wild shot go high and wide then David Byrne sent a free kick over. Cupar Hearts increased their lead on 70 minutes when Stephen Gilfillan headed the ball onto Barry Sibanda and he fired in from 12 yards. Two minutes later Iain Boylan had a long drive go wide. Hearts introduced subs Stephen Kane and Michael Reilly into the fray and they were soon causing problems. Bowhill were reduced to 10 men on 75 minutes when Barry Sibanda, through on goal, was fouled by Craig McGuinness and with his second yellow was given his marching orders. Iain Boylan had an excellent shot tipped over the bar from the resulting free kick and then a scramble ensued from the corner with Stuart Nicoll eventually firing wide. Then Cupar Hearts had a goal disallowed when Iain Boylan found the net but Stuart Beveridge was deemed to be in an offside position. Hearts did get goal number 4 though minutes later when Barry Sibanda headed in an Iain Boylan corner for his hat trick. With 1 minute remaining Sibanda skipped past the keeper and despite a last ditch effort for a goal line clearance he bundled the ball over the line to seal a convincing win for Hearts.

Cupar: McEwan, Halley, Gilfillan, Anderson (C), McInroy, Boylan, Nicoll, O’Leary, Beveridge, Sibanda and Little. Subs Reilly and Kane.