Pathhead started brightly with Rovers on the defensive but Alan McMath broke the offside trap and sprinted away to beat the keeper with a clinical finish to send the Innerleithen side on their way.

Rovers were now getting to grips with the game and McMath was foiled by a good save from the Pathhead keeper on 9 minutes.

It took until the 23rd minute before Rovers added a second, this time keeper Cris Watson launching a clearance up the park and first to react was striker McMath who lifted the ball over the advancing keeper with his head and into the net.

Pathhead were by no means out of the game and Rovers had keeper Watson to thank on more than one occasion for keeping the Midlothian men at bay.

Rovers started the second half on the front foot and on 48 minutes added a third and it was striker McMath who clinched his hatrick after good build up play from Leitch and Philbin.

Leithen Rovers sealed the tie with a fourth when a corner kick caught out the Pathhead defence and Tommy Fleming made no mistake with a good finish.

A missed penalty by Philbin failed to take the gloss off what was turning into good performance by the Rovers as they defend their South Cup.

Rovers added to their tally and again it was that man McMath, as he broke through, drew the keeper and unselfishly squared the ball to Shearlaw for an easy finish.

Pathhead pulled a goal back late on, but the game was over as a contest by then and gave manager Gary Hastie a chance to use all his subs as he racked up his 15th win from 17 games this season.

A good team effort and best for Rovers were McMath and keeper Watson.

Sponsors are so important to amateur football and Leithen Rovers would like to thank Martin Baird Butchers (Melrose) for the after match food, The Harrow Inn for serving it up at short notice and Mick Leitch (surfacing) for kindly sponsoring the match ball.

Pathhead started brightly with Rovers on the defensive but Alan McMath broke the offside trap and sprinted away to beat the keeper with a clinical finish to send the Innerleithen side on their way.

Rovers were now getting to grips with the game and McMath was foiled by a good save from the Pathhead keeper on 9 minutes.

It took until the 23rd minute before Rovers added a second, this time keeper Cris Watson launching a clearance up the park and first to react was striker McMath who lifted the ball over the advancing keeper with his head and into the net.

Pathhead were by no means out of the game and Rovers had keeper Watson to thank on more than one occasion for keeping the Midlothian men at bay.

Rovers started the second half on the front foot and on 48 minutes added a third and it was striker McMath who clinched his hatrick after good build up play from Leitch and Philbin.

Leithen Rovers sealed the tie with a fourth when a corner kick caught out the Pathhead defence and Tommy Fleming made no mistake with a good finish.

A missed penalty by Philbin failed to take the gloss off what was turning into good performance by the Rovers as they defend their South Cup.

Rovers added to their tally and again it was that man McMath, as he broke through, drew the keeper and unselfishly squared the ball to Shearlaw for an easy finish.

Pathhead pulled a goal back late on, but the game was over as a contest by then and gave manager Gary Hastie a chance to use all his subs as he racked up his 15th win from 17 games this season.

A good team effort and best for Rovers were McMath and keeper Watson.

Sponsors are so important to amateur football and Leithen Rovers would like to thank Martin Baird Butchers (Melrose) for the after match food, The Harrow Inn for serving it up at short notice and Mick Leitch (surfacing) for kindly sponsoring the match ball.