CAFL League Cup R2 Blantyre Celtic 1 St Patrick’s FP 4

ST PAT’S continued their fine start to the season as they hit four goals away to Blantyre Celtic on Saturday.

Saints pressed from the start and were rewarded in the seventh minute when Ryan Deeley took full advantage of a defensive blunder to drive the ball past the goalkeeper.

It could have been level 10 minutes later when McCabe and Jankin spearheaded a quick counter but failed to test Proctor in the Saints goal.

More concern for the visitors quickly followed when Gardiner was forced to leave the field due to a leg strain but his replacement Andy Ward soon calmed the nerves.

MacGilliveray was brought down and a free-kick awarded. Currie lofted the ball into the area King knocked down for Ward to finish the move in style.

Saints’ passing game left the Celts chasing shadows but with King replaced at half-time with a recurrence of an injury picked up in last week’s Scottish Cup tie, the visitors lost momentum and a silly goal.

Charging forward with intent, Scott Wilson got some joy as he turned Docherty before finding the net from an acute angle.

Suddenly it was game on and while the Saints had plenty of attacking ideas they had little luck. Dom McElroy should have done better following an inch-perfect cross from Willis but McAllister had little trouble holding his weak header.

But Currie made it 3-1 with 15 minutes left, sweeping past his marker before firing home a low shot.

The busy MacGilliveray was then left to curse his luck when his powerful shot smashed off the crossbar.

But in the last minute Ward made it 4-1 after more good work from MacGilliveray.

St Pat’s now play Bridgewater FC in the next round of the League Cup at The Palace of Art 4G, Paisley Road West, G52 1EQ on Saturday.

St Patrick’s FP: Proctor, King, McIntyre, Allan, Ruane, D McElroy, Gardiner, Currie. R, Deeley, MacGilliveray, Willis.

Subs: Ward, MacGuire, Docherty, B Deeley.