Football finally returned to Duffus Park and there were plenty of goals to be seen.

Saturday 7th January 2012.

Fife Cup 2nd round.

Cupar started brightly in the opening stages and Stuart Nicoll was first to show in front of goal after 4 minutes but his attempt went high over. Then Barry Sibanda did well to earn a corner after the keeper couldn’t handle his shot but Cupar couldn’t capitalise. Star Hearts went straight on the break and a good long distance shot by Kenny Miller was excellently tipped over the bar by Steven McEwan. Cupar should have taken the lead moments later when Barry Sibanda had a free header but he put it wide. At the other end a clever flick by Steven Logie found Alan Binnie but his good first time shot was wide. Cupar had another excellent opportunity when Iain O’Leary found Michael Reilly out wide. He squared to Iain Boylan in front of goal but he fired wide. Cupar Hearts did open the scoring on 20 minutes. An excellent through ball by Stuart Beveridge found Barry Sibanda who fired home. Moments later the homesters were awarded a penalty after a foul by Martin Brown on Michael Reilly. Captain Charles Anderson stepped up and made no mistake from the spot. Star Hearts pulled a goal back before the break when Martin McConnell fired in a free kick which took a mischievous bounce in front of goal and went over the keeper and into the back of the net.

Star Hearts equalised 9 minutes into the second half when poor defending by Cupar failed to clear their lines and Steven Logie blasted in from close range. Cupar went back in front on the hour mark when an excellent through pass by Stuart Nicoll found Michael Reilly who rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the goal. Goal number 4 came moments later when Iain Boylan’s shot curled into the top corner from long range. There was a welcome return for Scott McLean who replaced man of the match Michael Reilly for the last 10 minutes. With 5 minutes to go a cross by Steven Logie was put into his own net by Stephen Gilfillan as he tried to clear. It was a difficult game for Cupar but they did well to grind out a win.

Cupar Hearts: McEwan, Halley, McInroy, Anderson (C), Gilfillan, O’Leary, Boylan, Beveridge, Nicoll, Sibanda and Reilly. Subs: Rintoul, Fraser, McLean, Laing, McShane and Simpson.