Scottish Cup round-up: No upset this time as Aberdeen thrash East Fife

Published on Saturday 8 January 2011 16:41

Aberdeen, Hamilton and Inverness all overcame lower league opponents, but Hibernian, Dundee United and St Mirren face replays after goalless draws...

• Aberdeen's Chris Maguire celebrates his hat trick. Picture: SNS

Aberdeen 6 - 0 East Fife

THERE was to be no repeat of recent Scottish Cup shockers at Pittodrie today, as Craig Brown's rejuvenated Aberdeen side put East Fife to the sword.

It didn't take long for the Dons to assert themselves against John Robertson's East Fife, who set themselves up in an open, attacking manner.

Chris Maguire grabbed two well-taken goals before Scott Vernon made it three on 29 minutes with another close-range effort. While the Fifers had some good long range efforts, Maguire virtually guaranteed the win five minutes before the interval with his first senior hat-trick.

In the second half Vernon doubled his tally on 80 minutes and Josh Magennis capped a fine afternoon for Aberdeen when he made it 6-0 in stoppage time.

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Dundee United 0 - 0 Ross County

THE rematch between last season's Scottish Cup final participants turned out to be one to forget, when Dundee United were held to a goalless draw by First Division Ross County.

Peter Houston's team had the better of the chances in the first half, with County's Jason Marr clearing a Morgaro Gomis cross from under the crossbar, but it was a largely lifeless encounter.

United crafted a couple more chances in the second half but they now face a tough trip to Dingwall in the replay.

Hamilton 2 - 0 Alloa

GOALS from Nigel Hasselbaink and Flavio Paixao ensured that SPL strugglers Hamilton fended off any challenge from high scoring Second Division outfit Alloa at New Douglas Park.

In front of a crowd of just 1,054, Hasselbaink opened the scoring on 35 minutes after pouncing on a through ball. Alloa went close in the second half when an ambitious shot from near the halfway line by Michael McGowan that Hamilton keeper Tomas Cerny just managed to save.

Hamilton were awarded a penalty in injury time when Jim McAlister was taken down by Alloa keeper Stephen Robertson, who was subsequently sent off. But stand-in David Gormley, normally a striker, managed to save Simon Mensing's penalty.

Any late Alloa fightback, however, was not to be when Flavio Paixao guaranteed the win, making it 2-0 with a header deep into stoppage time.

Hibernian 0 - 0 Ayr

THERE was further frustration for Hibs fans today as their side limped to a goalless draw at home to Second Division Ayr United.

The Edinburgh side endured a torrid first half that saw their opponents craft more scoring opportunities. Hibs striker Derek Riordan sprung into life just before the interval but blitzed a shot high into the stand and failed to connect with a Merouane Zemmama pass.

While Hibs hit the bar late on as Riordan deflected Liam Miller's shot, they had Mark Brown to thank when the goalkeeper brought off a superb fingertip save from Ayr substitute Andy Rodgers three minutes into added time to keep them in the competition.

Inverness CT 2 - 0 Elgin City

INVERNESS left it late to progress to the next round in their tie against Third Division Elgin City.

Elgin keeper Peter Donnelly saved well from Richie Foran and Adam Rooney to keep the SPL side at bay, but it all came apart in injury time for Barry Wilson's men.

Caley substitute Dani Sanchez's volley found the net two minutes into stoppage time, and the Spaniard then set up Rooney to put the home fans at ease.

Montrose 2 - 2 Dunfermline

FIRST Division leaders Dunfermline survived a Scottish Cup scare at Links Park as lowly Montrose earned a replay.

Paul Tosh put the Gable Endies in front after 25 minutes with a shot from close range, and it stayed that way until a Pat Clarke effort evened matters on 72 minutes.

The Fifers must have thought they had won it when Andy Kirk stabbed the ball over the line with ten minutes to play, but Paul Tosh got his second to make it 2-2 in injury time.

St Mirren 0 - 0 Peterhead

ST MIRREN were frustrated at home to Second Division Peterhead as the two sides played out a goalless stalemate.

Peterhead lost both centre-halves when Bobby Mann was carried off in the first half and was closely followed by Scott Ross. But despite this blow, the Buddies struggled to create anything except a Paddy Clegg shot which hit the post.