Cumbernauld Colts 7

Peebles Rovers 0

ROVERS’ winter of discontent continued, after being humiliatingly pummelled by Cumbernauld Colts in the third round of the SFA Challenge Cup.

This marks the third 7-0 defeat in a row for Ger Rossi’s team, as his side continued their slide in form following defeats from Lothian Thistle and Kelty Hearts.

Very little was expected from the Rovers as they arrived in North Lanarkshire, with a Cumbernauld team that are performing well in their Lowland League campaign.

But few would have expected the dominance that the Broadwood outfit enjoyed as they chalked up a record win over sorry Peebles.

The Colts immediately advanced into Peebles’ half, piling all the pressure on in the opening exchanges – with midfielder Fraser Sheridan kicking himself after he watched his free header sail past Ben McGinley.

Peebles held out for 25 minutes, before Sean Brown tucked a low effort home following a Jamie Waddell corner.

From then on, any confidence that Peebles had built up vanished into thin air.

Whilst Rovers had looked solid, an air of dejectedness soon developed – which ruthless Cumbernauld took full advantage of.

The second goal was a carbon copy of the first, as Colts captain Greg Pascazio rose high above his marker to power home another Waddell corner.

Sean Brown then extended the lead from the penalty spot, after being crudely upended in the box.

Minutes later, the striker completed his first half hat-trick when he netted the Colts’ fourth after latching onto a Sheridan cross, finishing confidently low past the helpless McGinley.

The second-half began in the same vein as the first, with the home side dominating possession with the visitors still trying to contain free-flowing Cumbernauld

Any thoughts Peebles may have had about a miraculous recovery were soon dismissed when, in the 50th minute, Fraser Sheridan decided to get in on the act: scoring with a rasping low left foot drive from 25 yards.

Three minutes later, super-sub William Mortimer showed his quality when he was put through on goal following another passing move, he calmly stroked the ball past the advancing keeper only to see it rebound off the post, he was however not to be denied reacting quickest to finish from close range to make it six.

The Colts continued to dominate and could have increased their lead on more than one occasion as they passed up a number of clear opportunities.

It was only a matter of time before they got their seventh to round off the scoring - with one of the best moves of the game. Stephen O'Neil hit the magnificent seventh from a Michael Wallace cross following a fantastic diagonal pass from Gavin Lachlan.

Rovers now look ahead to their home match against Tweedmouth Rangers tomorrow. Kick-off is 2pm.