Record-breaking Airdrie hand Gala an 11-goal drubbing, while Culter give Partick real fright

THE third round of the William Hill Scottish Cup was a lively affair, with 16 ties producing 66 goals and five hat-tricks.

Eleven of the goals and two of the trebles helped Airdrie United to a club record as they defeated East of Scotland First Division side Gala Fairydean 11-0.

Airdrie recorded their highest win yet to top the 7-0 success over Dundee in March 2006.

The victory of Jimmy Boyle’s side does, however, fall short of the 15-1 rout that Airdrieonians inflicted on Dundee Wanderers in December 1894.

A chasm between the sides was not evident in the opening 28 minutes. However, a Bruce Hunter foul on Sean Lynch saw Paul Lovering open the floodgates from the penalty spot.

John Boyle grabbed the first of his hat-trick shortly afterwards, with Jamie Stevenson netting the first of his treble to make it three, then four before Boyle scored a fifth before half-time.

Stevenson completed his hat-trick 12 minutes after half-time, before Willie McLaren notched the first goal of his loan spell from Hamilton Accies. Boyle achieved his hat-trick to make it 8-0 on 65 minutes.

Lovering drove home the ninth, before Ryan Donnelly scored the 10th and substitute Derek Holmes rounded the match off.

While Airdrie take the plaudits for the best score of the round, Northern Junior side Culter take the honours for the performance of the round by holding Partick Thistle to a 1-1 draw, and their name will be among the elite clubs in tomorrow’s draw at Hampden.

It all looked good for the Jags when Paul Cairney shot home after six minutes from 25 yards out.

However, Ryan Stott equalised 13 minutes later.

The sides will meet again at Firhill this Saturday.

Culter boss Andy Gibson said: “This is a huge result for us, and I hope Partick do not mind our celebrations at the end. The players showed great commitment especially after going a goal down. We will enjoy this for a couple of days and then start preparing for the replay.”

There were no such problems for Livingston at Irvine Meadow, where Gary Bollan’s side won 6-0 with teenage striker Marc McNulty grabbing a hat-trick in the first 43 minutes before limping off with an ankle injury.

Rory Boulding also netted before half time. Goals from Kenny Deuchar and Bobby Barr put the tie well beyond Medda.

The other Junior sides had mixed fortunes, with Bo’ness United’s tie with Second Division leaders Cowdenbeath slipping away from them as they went down 3-0 and had two men sent off.

Debutant Ryan Scanlon was dismissed midway through the first half when he picked up his second booking, and the Blue Brazil made their advantage pay shortly afterwards when Jon Robertson nodded in.

Scott Linton doubled the lead just after the hour mark, and Bo’ness’s miserable day was completed when Stuart Hunter was red-carded after kicking the ball at the grounded Lewis Coult when a penalty was awarded close to the final whistle.

Coult ignored what had gone on to knock in the spot kick.

Auchinleck Talbot made history by reaching the fourth round for the first time when they came from behind to defeat Vale of Leithen 3-1.

Liam McKenna had volleyed Vale in front midway through the first half. Keir Milliken bundled in a leveller six minutes from the break.

Michael McCann headed in a second on the restart, and Bryan Young secured the win with a low shot.

Jocky Scott’s Stirling Albion took the lead against his former club Dundee when Darren Smith headed in. However the Dark Blues hit back to win 2-1 – Ryan Conroy netted directly from a free kick before half time and Steven Milne eased the Dens Park side through with a finish from the edge of the box in the second half.

Ross County’s Michael Gardyne scored a hat-trick against Albion Rovers in the Dingwall club’s 4-0 success.

The former Celtic kid opened the scoring early, and Paul Lawson fired in from 25 yards to double the lead before the first 45 minutes had been played.

Gardyne ensured County’s progress 20 minutes from time before grabbing his third in the closing stages.

Injury-hit Morton saw off Highland League Deveronvale 5-1 at Cappielow with David O’Brien, Peter MacDonald, Andy Jackson, Peter Weatherston and Archie Campbell on the scoresheet. Grant Noble scored for the Banff side.

Cup specialists Ayr United did not have it their own way against Montrose and the sides will meet again tomorrow night after a 2-2 draw at Somerset Park in a game that saw three penalties awarded.

Arbroath player-manager Paul Sheerin came on with ten minutes left of his side’s game at Keith and he made all the difference in the 1-0 win when he netted a penalty four minutes into injury time after Chris Niddrie walked for conceding the spot-kick.

In the all Second Division clash, Craig Malloy edged his Brechin City side ahead against Dumbarton, with Charlie King and Paul McManus completing a 3-0 win.

Stenhousemuir defeated Annan 4-0, and East Fife went one better in their 5-0 success over East Stirling, with both games as good as over at half time.

Stranraer and Forfar will meet again at Station Park next Saturday after a 1-1 draw at Stair Park.

The Loons’ Chris Templeman had opened the scoring. However, Frank McKeown netted a last minute goal to rescue the home side.

Elgin and Queen’s Park will also meet next weekend after a 1-1 draw in the Highlands.

Peterhead ran out 4-2 winners over Highland League hosts Inverurie Locos.