Rob Roy open season with five-goal blitz

But the match was overshadowed by a serious injury to Rossvale ‘keeper Jordan Bowskill who needed hospital treatment after an incident in which he was red-carded.

The ‘keeper was sent off in the aftermath of Rob Roy’s fifth goal for pushing Whelan, in retaliation for an alleged stamp on his groin which went unseen by the referee.

The game itself was fairly one-sided with Rob Roy in charge for most of the game, although the young ‘Vale side did try to make a game of it.

The visitors made the vital breakthrough in the 13th minute when Whelan broke down the right crossing for Kevin Watt to despatch low into the net.

Rossvale responded with a Team drive which was blocked by Brown and a long-range McCreadie volley which was held by the ’keeper.

A minute before the half-time whistle Rabs increased their lead when Bowskill spilled a Martin shot and Watt netted from close range.

Rossvale had the better of the early second half exchanges but as the match entered its final quarter Rabs added a third when Willie Sawyers easily rose above the home defence to bury a powerful near post header into the net from a Mackie cross.

The Kirky side stretched their lead in the 71st minute when McCreadie headed a Mackie corner into his own net.

Rossvale battled on and were unlucky when Team just failed to reach a McKay cross before, with four minutes remaining, substitute Maguire knocked home Rob Roy’s fifth following in an untidy goalmouth scramble to complete the scoring.