Rutherglen Glencairn No.2 Joe Pryce says asking the team to step up the tempo in their South Challenge Cup first round tie against Finnart resulted in a six-minute hat-trick for Jack McIlveen in a 4-0 win.
But he also praised debut keeper Scott Law, who made some key saves to keep the sides at 1-0 at the interval, thanks to Mick O’Byrne’s opener, and earned man of the match.
It was then down to McIlveen, who struck in the 48th, 49th and 54th minutes to put Glencairn through to the second round for the first time in three attempts.
Pryce said: “It was a good win. It was a good, positive performance from the boys.
“We played well, were nice and solid, nice and professional.
“Finnart always make it difficult, but Scott, making his competitive debut, made a couple of brilliant saves in the first half, so that we could go in 1-0 up.
“At half-time we asked the players to raise the tempo a wee touch, we managed to do that and big Jack came up with three quick-fire goals which sealed the tie for us.
“I’m delighted to be through into the next round. It’s the third attempt at that competition and the first time we’ve managed to get through, so we’re delighted.”
Captain Tam Miller reckons the scoreline flattered Glens slightly, but is happy to progress.
He said: “Jack did well with the six-minute hat-trick, but we went in 1-0 at half-time and it didn’t look as if we were going to get such a comfortable win.
“We came out in the second half and took them by surprise.
“Although Jack McIlveen got a hat-trick in six minutes our goalkeeper got man of the match, which shows a reflection that the scoreline maybe flattered us a wee bit, with the chances that we had.
“But I thought we did really well.
“We didn’t take the game lightly or anything like that. Shape-wise we were pretty good, defended pretty well, and caused them a lot of problems.
“I’m pleased to get through to the next round. It’s a cup where in the last couple of years we’ve gone out more or less straight away, so it’s good to get our name in the hat.
“That was the goal, regardless of scoreline, or how we played.”
Former Cumbernauld United, Pollok and Darvel midfielder Stephen McDevitt made his debut in the 4-0 win after signing last week.
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