PARS 5
Peterhead 1

IT was a fantastic five for the Pars as they strolled past Peterhead in the Betfred League Cup.

It was double delight for both Joe Cardle and Declan McManus as their braces, and an own goal from Scott Ross, secured a comfortable 5-1 home win.

The only blemish for Allan Johnston’s side was a consolation from Rory McAllister in the second half.

Dean Shiels made his first start for the club partnering Michael Paton in the centre of the Pars’ midfield in the only change from Tuesday’s penalty shoot-out victory over East Fife.

The first effort of the match resulted in the first goal as Nicky Clark led a breakaway and cut the ball back for an unmarked McManus to open his account for the club with a cool finish on 6 minutes.

It was once again poor defending which saw Higginbotham race clear down the right before playing in an underlapping Joe Cardle

Ex-Par Greg Fleming would have been disappointed as the winger curled the ball past him at his near post on 11 minutes.

Another familiar face was trying to draw his side level on 20 minutes as Willie Gibson tested Sean Murdoch from range.

Murdoch’s opposite number was picking the ball out for the third time a minute later, however.

Cardle once again got his name on the scoresheet from close range after a smart move down the right flank between Higginbotham and Ryan Williamson.

While the Pars couldn’t add a fourth at the end of the first half, they did through McManus one minute into the second.

McManus showed composure to lob Fleming – who was miles off his line – from the edge of the box on 46 minutes.

Peterhead changed shape in the second half and almost netted a consolation through Gibson.

Substitute Paul Cairney played the ball into the winger’s path and only the outstretched hand of Murdoch denied him a goal on his return to East End Park.

McAllister was the target man all afternoon for the visitors and he earned his side a penalty on 63 minutes.

Lee Ashcroft handled after the striker tried to beat his man on the deck.

McAllister duly dispatched from 12 yards and ended the Pars’ clean defensive record in the competition so far.

Another Peterhead man then hit the back of the net on 72 minutes.

Unfortunately for Scott Ross, it was his own after diverting a cross past the helpless Fleming.

That goal would end the scoring in a game that Pars completely dominated.

Hearts on Saturday will prove to be a much sterner test before the league campaign gets underway against Livingston.

Pars: Murdoch, Williamson, Morris, Ashcroft, Martin, Cardle (M’Voto 70), Paton (Splaine, 58), Shiels, Higginbotham, Clark (Smith, 58), McManus.
Subs not used: Gill, Lochead, Duthie, Wedderburn, Smith.
Booked: Morris
Goals: McManus (6), Cardle (11, 21), Ross OG (72)

Peterhead: Fleming, Jason Brown, Stevenson, Robertson, McCracken (Ross, 60), Ferry, Jordan Brown (Cairney, 46), Scott Brown, McAllister, Gabriel (McLean, 46), Gibson.
Subs not used: Hobday, Smith, Adams, Lawrence.
Booked: McAllister
Goal: McAllister (65)

Referee: Bobby Madden
Attendance: 1878