Two hat-tricks sees Hearts put 6 past Thistle.

Saturday 15th October 2011.

Scottish Cup 2nd round.

Cupar Hearts’ two strikers bagged a hat-trick each which sent their visitors from the Stirling and District League crashing out of the Scottish Amateur Cup at a sunny but breezy Duffus Park. Callander Thistle were well aware of Cupar’s successful start to their league campaign but manager Robson Sibanda would not take a victory against any team in the Scottish for granted. As the game started at a very fast pace it was evident that the visitors would be no pushovers. Cupar welcomed back captain Charles Anderson from a 2 week break and the Hearts defence settled early and were playing with confidence which flowed through the whole team. Barry Sibanda broke forward after just 5 minutes play but failed to keep his effort on target. Then a foul by Iain Boylan on Grant Donaldson gave Callander a chance 30 yards out but the ball was deflected wide by the head of Sean Wilbert. Moves down the right involving Stephen Kane, Stuart Nicoll and Barry Sibanda threatened the thistle defence as did Stephen Gilfillan, Iain Boylan and John Little down the left but Thistle’s rearguard stayed resilient. Iain Boylan for Cupar came closest to opening the scoring after 25 minutes but his direct free kick skimmed the top of the crossbar. Callander finally succumbed to Cupar’s pressure after 37 minutes. Barry Sibanda did all the hard work and set up John Little and with his second attempt fired Cupar into the lead. Soon after the restart Iain O’Leary for the homesters blasted over then in reply Gary Morrison had a fierce shot well saved by Steven McEwan. Then moments later he saved well again this time from a Sean Wilbert effort but it was Cupar who went into the break with a slender lead.

Cupar Hearts made a change for the second half with the injured Stephen Gilfillan being replaced by Stuart Beveridge. The next 45 minutes was to be completely dominated by Hearts as the stamina of the Callander boys was soon to wane. Straight from the restart Stuart Nicoll for Cupar shot wide but their second goal followed soon after. Iain Boylan’s effort came back off the bar but Barry Sibanda was on hand to smash home his first. Four minutes later the same player scored his second and Cupar’s third when he raised the highest and his inch perfect header gave Thistle keeper George Ward no chance. Callander substitute Jamie Stirling’s well struck effort saw Steven McEwan make a clever one handed save. This was then followed by Cupar’s fourth goal when after a stramash in the goalmouth John Little eventually fired his second home. Hearts replaced the outstanding Scott McInroy with youngster Craig McShane with 17 minutes to go. Barry Sbanda’s hat-trick came soon after when he beat the offside trap and latched onto Iain Boylan’s neat chip before he lobbed the keeper and tapped the ball over the line. Not to be out done, Johm Little completed his hat-trick right on the 90 minute mark when he side footed easily past the visiting keeper from 12 yards to complete the scoring. With just seconds remaining Scott MacIntosh almost grabbed a consolation goal when he broke clear but once again Steven McEwan made an excellent save. And so Cupar Hearts now await the draw for the third round.

Cupar: McEwan, Fraser, Gilfillan, Anderson (c), McInroy, Kane, Boylan, Nicoll, O’Leary, Sibanda and Little. Subs: Beveridge, McShane, Simpson, Reilly and Laing.

Match ball sponsor: Mrs Smith.

Ceres Butchers meat tray winner was V. Cassidy.