Hall Russell United 0 Lochee United 3

Reporter: Jim Davie

Lochee United got this season’s Macron Scottish Junior Cup campaign off to a winning start, returning from Aberdeen with a comfortable victory over hosts Hall Russell United.

The Bluebells dominated possession against a young Aberdeen side which showed plenty of spirit against their much favoured visitors.

With a strong wind at their backs Lochee were soon around Craig Carroll’s goal and, in only the second minute Logan Davie’s corner kick grazed the top of Carroll’s bar.

Reece Ritchie failed to test the keeper with a shot high over the bar and Scott McComiskie should probably have done better when he chased a long ball but could only send his effort over.

However, Lochee got the goal they merited on 16 minutes. A superb crossfield pass from Stephen McNally found top scorer McCOMISKIE and he gave Carroll no chance with a terrific shot on the half volley.

It was 22 minutes before the home side tested the Lochee defence, Greg Hay sending in a shot that failed to trouble John Sinclair in the visitors’ goal.

Lochee continued to enjoy the bulk of the pressure and hit the post with Ritchie’s free kick, but had to be wary of Hall Russell’s speedy front three who looked dangerous on the break.

Keeper Carroll made a great double save to keep his side in the game, firstly from a Kevin Milne header, then a point blank save from Grant Lawson.

The home side were given a golden chance to get back on level terms before the interval when a McNally slip allowed Curtis Kane through, but his pass to teammate Liam Duncan saw the tricky winger send his shot wide.

The home side might have thought that they would benefit from the wind at their backs in the second period but it was Lochee who continued to dominate.

However, they had keeper Sinclair to thank for keeping their lead when he pulled off a terrific save from the lively Duncan.

Normal service was resumed on 58 minutes when the Bluebells added a second and it was a cracker. Lawson turned his opponent inside out on the left wing and sent in a beautiful cross that MILNE headed home.

Hall Russell tried hard to get back into the game but they were up against a more experienced outfit with the ability to carve out classy goals.

Their third on 74 minutes was as good as the previous two. Great interplay between Milne and Davie saw DAVIE put the final nail in Hall Russell’s coffin with a close-in effort.

The home side never gave up and had a couple of efforts before the end but Lochee were quite comfortable and were rewarded with a shutout and a place in the next round.

Hall Russell: Carroll, Donaldson, Grimbley, Harrison (Thomas 70), Kane, Marr, Rennie, Russell, Milne (Mackie 49), Hay (Critchard 54), Duncan.

Lochee Utd: Sinclair, McNally, Kenneth, Kirk, McDonald, Ritchie (Buchan 75), Cameron (Gallacher 62), Lawson, Davie, McComiskie (Blair 77), Milne.