Cupar Hearts 5-1 Balgonie Scotia

Player manager Lee Sibanda led the team to an emphatic win grabbing himself a hattrick along the way.

Hearts should have opened the scoring on seven minutes when a quality shot from distance by Steven Pennington was well saved and Aaron Leadbetter unbelievably scooped the rebound over the bar from close range.

Poor defending by the visitors allowed Hearts to take advantage four minutes later when Kyle Watson cut the ball back for Ryan Gray who fired home.

Scotia goalie Grant Henderson was lucky to see only yellow when he bundled over Lee Sibanda in the box.

The same man stepped up and coolly dispatched the penalty to put Hearts two to the good.

Balgonie got themselves back into the game on 16 minutes when Gordon McKinnon surprised everyone when his corner kick curled straight into the net.

Superb one touch football by Hearts deservedly produced goal number three.

Steven Pennington, Ryan Gray and Lee Sibanda all linked up well with Sibanda finishing off the move.

Lee Sibanda completed his hattrick on 77 minutes when he latched onto a Ryan Gray pass and cheekily chipped the ball over the advancing ‘keeper. Substitute Morgan Dow concluded the scoring when he got himself on the scoresheet with two minutes remaining.

Ceres Butchers Meat Tray winner was Pat Kinhart (Cupar).

Tomorrow (Saturday) Cupar Hearts host Greig Park Rangers in the second round of the Kingdom Challenge Cup at the Duffus Park.

Kick off 2pm.

Cupar Hearts - Rann, K. Brown, Murdoch, McInroy, Leadbetter, G. Brown, Gray, Wainwright, Pennington, Watson, Sibanda.

Subs - Thomas, Dow.