Holders Hearts ease into 2nd round.

Saturday 22nd October 2011.

Fife Cup 1st Round.

Cupar Hearts welcomed Comrie Tavern from the West of Fife to Duffus Park last Saturday for the start of their defence of the Fife Cup. Comrie Tavern in their former name Whitegates AFC reached the semi-final stage last year and so a tough encounter was predicted. Hearts depleted squad left just David Simpson, Craig McShane and the injured Stephen Gilfillan on the bench.

In the opening minutes Barry Sibanda created a chance to open the scoring but as he attempted to round the keeper Willie Caruthers managed to knock the ball out of his path. Comrie replied with an effort by Lee Malpin but his shot went wide. Moments later the visitors pressed again but Robert McArtur’s low drive was easily saved. Nearing the 10 minute mark Michael Reilly had Cupar’s first shot on target but Willie Caruthers parried it away and it was cleared. Cupar’s Stuart Nicoll was next on the attack but his run was finally halted when the keeper bravely gathered the ball at his feet. Cupar’s best chance to open the scoring came soon after when Iain O’Leary had an effort blocked then Iain Boylan fired in the rebound only to see it cleared off the line. The ball then fell to Barry Sibanda but his goal bound effort was deflected out for a corner. Half way through the half a snapshot by Comrie’s Lee Malpin went wide and this was followed up with a long throw to Fraser Shield but his overhead kick also went wide. Cupar Hearts were soon at the other end though and after 28 minutes they broke the deadlock. Michael Reilly beat the offside trap and his cross was headed home by the goal scoring machine Barry Sibanda. After the restart a foul on Stuart Nicoll gave Iain Boylan a chance to increase Cupar’s lead but his effort was just inches over the bar. It was all Cupar as half time approached and to the delight of their support they doubled their lead right on th 45 minutes. A shot by Iain Boylan was blocked but it fell to Iain O’Leary and his shot flew in past the near post with the visiting keeper making no real effort to stop it.

There was anticipation going into the second period that Cupar Hearts would dominate as in the previous week but Comrie had different ideas and chased the game. Five minutes into the half Cupar’s Scott McInroy came close to scoring with a header following a corner kick then his teammate Michael Reilly was unlucky with an over head kick that flew just wide. The visitors managed a couple of efforts on goal but they never really troubled Steven McEwan in the home sticks. Cupar Hearts began to dominate affairs but it wasn’t until there was 10 minutes remaining that gaol number 3 came and killed any chance of a come back. Iain O’Leary did well to keep the ball in play and while the visitors were complaining at the referee Stuart Nicoll strolled forward and nutmegged the keeper to complete the scoring. Cupar Hearts now face Star Hearts away in the next round.

Match sponsor was Tom Anderson.

Ceres Butchers meat tray winner was T. Anderson.

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