Rose wrap up sweet win by hitting five past Thornton

It was a frustrating opening half an hour for the home team as they were thwarted by the visitors' offside trap and some good saves from Kevin Smith. However, the anxiety vanished when Ian Nimmo spotted Smith off his line and, showing great vision and technique, lobbed the ball into the net from 30 yards.

Steven Manson had earned the ire of his team-mates when he opted to shoot as he cut in from the left rather than squaring the ball, but made amends 60 seconds later when finding himself in the same position again, he passed to Tommy Coyne who prodded home Linlithgow's second goal. Coyne came close at the start of the second half, shooting against the woodwork after being set up by a neat pass from Stuart McArthur.

It was no surprise when Linlithgow extended their lead just after the hour. Adam Nelson's pass found Manson whose shot was blocked, but Coyne was on hand to ram the ball home.

Ruari MacLennan made a dream debut when he scored with a sweet volley only a minute after coming on as a substitute, and Coyne completed his hat-trick in the closing minutes.

Linlithgow Rose: McPherson, Kelly, Nelson, Ward, Donnelly, Tyrrell (Roddy MacLennan 72), Manson, Adam, Nimmo (Strickland 72), Coyne, McArthur (Ruari MacLennan 80) Subs: Virgili, Quinn, Pinkowski.

Thornton Hibs: Smith, Carstairs (Harrow 72 mins), Drummond, Shields, McAinsh, McGuire, Thomson, Hepburn, Mullen, Walker (Doig 60), Adam (Mahkouli 60). Subs: Gay.

Linlithgow Rose 5

Thornton Hibs 0