Cupar Hearts lay down marker as amateur season kicks off

Pittenweem Rovers..............0

After an impressive unbeaten pre-season against various East of Scotland opponents, Cupar Hearts and amateur football were given the green light to return to competitive action last Saturday.

Pittenweem Rovers were the visitors to a rain drenched Duffus Park and could do little to stop a strong Hearts outfit netting nine goals.

The opening day win was complete with hometown hero Barry Sibanda returning to the club and opening his goalscoring account with five.

Rovers fell behind with only nine minutes on the clock when their new player-manager Neale Smith conceded a free kick on the edge of the box and Barry Sibanda drilled the ball low into the net.

Jamie Leslie was next in front of goal and, after seeing his first shot saved, his second attempt was superbly bent into the bottom corner. Then good link up play on the wing was finished by Leslie for his second.

Barry Sibanda grabbed his double two minutes before the break with a thunderbolt strike.

Richie Lawson added his name to the scoresheet when his effort went in off the woodwork before Aaron Anderson beat the defender and expertly curled his shot into the top corner.

With only six minutes remaining Pittenweem hoped to keep the damage at six but Hearts were relentless, and an unstoppable Barry Sibanda found time to add another three goals.

He headed in for number seven then prodded the ball home from close range for his fourth before concluding the scoring when he converted an Aaron Anderson cross.