Mullen is four-goal hero as United go through to second round of the Cup

Oct 9 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

THORNIEWOOD UNITED became the first Lanarkshire club to reach this season’s Scottish Junior Cup second round after an 8-0 demolition of Cruden Bay on Saturday.

But Wishaw’s long haul north to Petershead proved unrewarding as they crashed 3-2 to North Premier League side Longside.

And it’s ‘try again’ time this week for the remaining first-round ties that were rained off, including the Larkhall derby between Thistle and Royal Albert.

Thorniewood United wasted little time against Aberdeenshire side Cruden Bay as Stephen Mullen gave them a second-minute lead following good set-up play from Des Bradshaw, Mark Daly and Joe Tobin.

Mullen doubled that lead in 16 minutes when he pounced on a rebound from a Matt Lyttle shot after the keeper had parried the ball.

Sub John Paul Fitzpatrick made it 3-0 with a 25-yard drive within three minutes of his introduction.

Three goals in seven minutes then put United on easy street just as the pitch was starting to churn up.

Sub Jim Strain drilled in the fourth after the keeper had blocked a Bradshaw shot, Fitzpatrick fired in number five and Mullen squared for Bradshaw to score their sixth.

Mullen, ever the opportunist, nipped in to snatch his hat-trick from close range in 75 minutes, following some slack defending.

Then, with three minutes left, he shuffled his way past three defenders to rifle in Thorniewood’s final strike after his initial drive had been blocked by a keeper who didn’t deserve to concede eight goals.

Four-goal hero Mullen said: “With four goals, I feel pretty good but the team played well and some of the boys put it on a plate for me by laying on chances – but that’s what it’s all about.

“That’s the first time I’ve hit four in a competitive game. I hit five once and I was trying to get that, but I guess I’ve just got to be happy with the four!

“Seriously though, I’d be happy with just one if it won the game for us.”

Delighted co-boss John Fallon said: “They’re a very young side, rebuilding after losing a lot of their experienced players last season, and in the end we were just too strong for them.

“I was pleased with our play in patches – our finishing at times was a bit ‘iffy’, just like some of our passing.

“Overall though it was a satisfactory day, and you can’t complain when you win a Scottish Cup tie, especially 8-0!”

The highly-anticipated Larkhall derby between Thistle and Royal Albert was sunk following a 10am pitch inspection on Saturday but the build-up for this weekend’s second attempt has already started.

Confident Jags boss Bobby Crilly said: “Unless something special happens in training, the team won’t change much from the side I would have played on Saturday, although the extra week’s rest will help Andy Dorrans, Robert Crossey and David Forrester’s chances.”

Albert, meanwhile, have only one injury concern and that’s long-term casualty Davie Dickson, the club captain.

Stonehouse Violet will attempt to play their home tie against Kilbirnie Ladeside at the second attempt, while Blantyre head for Ayrshire and a meeting with Whitletts Vics.

l The Scottish Junior Cup second round draw will take place in Shotts Bon Accord Social Club on Sunday.