Seven up as Rob Roy maintain their fizz and keep unbeaten run going

Rob Roy strolled into the West of Scotland Cup second round of the with a convincing 7-2 win over Central Second Division side East Kilbride Thistle.
Luke Whelan (left) gets a pass away despite the attentions of an East Kilbride opponentLuke Whelan (left) gets a pass away despite the attentions of an East Kilbride opponent
Luke Whelan (left) gets a pass away despite the attentions of an East Kilbride opponent

There was an early sting from Thistle though as a moment of hesitancy from Rabs keeper Jordan Brown allowed Chris Faulds to win the ball and fire into the vacant net after just five minutes.

Rabs went all out to level the score with Willie Sawyers’ header palmed to safety by Thistle keeper Chris Treacy before Chris Duff’s strike flew inches wide.

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David Barr’s looping header from a Danny MacKenzie cross was safely collected under his bar by Treacy before Rabs equalised in 21 minutes when Dumbarton loanee Amadou Kassarate controlled a Sean McCall cross before sending a crisp finish past Treacy for his first competitive goal for the club.

Rob Roy celebrate Chris Duff's goal, the third of their seven against East KilbrideRob Roy celebrate Chris Duff's goal, the third of their seven against East Kilbride
Rob Roy celebrate Chris Duff's goal, the third of their seven against East Kilbride

Rabs then had a creditable claim for a penalty kick ignored when Kassarate went down in the box as he advanced in on goal.

East Kilbride were prominent on the break with Faulds unlucky to see his lob clear the crossbar.

But Rabs took a 36th minute lead when, from a Duff short corner, Lee Gallacher chipped the ball into the Thistle goalmouth for Sawyers to send a downward header into the net.

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It was 3-1 on the stroke of half-time Rabs. From a Gallacher free-kick slack defending allowed Duff to nod the ball into the net from close range.

Rob Roy celebrate Chris Duff's goal, the third of their seven against East KilbrideRob Roy celebrate Chris Duff's goal, the third of their seven against East Kilbride
Rob Roy celebrate Chris Duff's goal, the third of their seven against East Kilbride

A minute into the second half Brown had to be alert to make a diving save from a Kevin Green miskick.

But Rabs added another five minutes into the half when Sawyers ran through on goal and while Treacy blocked his initial effort the prolific hitman made no mistake with the rebound.

Against the run of play Jags pulled a goal back in the 66th minute when McKinnon connected with a cross from the right to give Brown no chance with a fierce volley.

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Substitute Kevin Watt made it 5-2 in the 66th minute when he fired home a Kassarate cross and then increased Rabs’ lead minutes later when he hammered the ball high past Treacy,

To their credit Thistle never gave up with Alan McFadden hitting the Rabs woodwork with a snap shot.

But with minutes remaining Watt completed the scoring, and his hat-trick, when he drilled the ball past Tracey as Rabs coasted into round two by a distance.