Banchory St Ternan 0 - 4 Hermes

Hermes: Sweeney, Cruickshank, L.Smith, Brown, Campbell, McKenzie, Alexander, McRae, Stevenson, McLachlan, Dawson.

Substitutes: Close, Scoular, M.Smith.

Banchory St Ternan: Berton, Reid, Shepherd, Mitchell, Robertson, Whelan, Wilson, Davidson, Mackie, Munro, Smith.

Substitutes: Bruce, Peter, Buglass, Christie, Huggins.

Referee: Ian Bailey; Assistants: Owen Lawrence, Brian Spence.

Milton Park was bathed in sunshine for this First Round GA Engineering Cup tie and it was Hermes who reflected the weather with the brighter start.

Banchory, however, were showing a great appetite for the fray and the first half hour was pretty even, as both sides sought to break the other down.

The game’s first flashpoint came on 30 minutes when Steven Travers fouled Ally Brown as the Hermes defender completed a clearance. The referee had no hesitation in showing a red card to the Saints midfielder, leaving the home side to play for an hour with ten men.

Brown, however, also had to leave the field, and he was helped off , with what appeared to be serious damage to his ankle. The experienced Strachan took his place alongside Campbell at the heart of the visitors’ defence.

Hermes continued to press and McRae came close with a couple of efforts. Munro , for the home side, hit the post as the half drew to a close.

Half time: Banchory St Ternan 0-0 Hermes

Hermes reappeared in more determined fashion, forcing St Ternan onto the back foot.

In 58 minutes, M.SMITH replaced McLachlan and substitution paid off almost immediately when the big striker rounded off a great move between McRae and Alexander by forcing the ball over the line for the opener.

McKenzie made way for Scoular as Hermes continued to press and it was no surprise when they went further ahead in 63 minutes, MCRAE heading home from an Alexander corner.

Almost immediately, Sweeney, in the visitors’ goal, having been a virtual spectator, pulled off a brilliant save, to prevent the home side reducing the deficit.

In 77 minutes Hermes consolidated their position when M.SMITH was on hand to turn in an Alexander cross, who had been released by an inch perfect Dawson pass.

With ten minutes left, the Bridge of Don side sealed a convincing win as DAWSON rounded off a surging run with a fierce shot from a tight angle.

Full time: Banchory St Ternan 0-4 Hermes