There was an explosive opening to this floodlit Superleague fixture when Deveronside’s Colin Legge brought down Erik Thomson in the first few seconds of the match and was immediately red carded.

From the resulting free kick on the edge of the box LEE SMITH blasted home a great shot to give the home side the best possible start.

However the visitors hit back almost immediately , when ROBERT KING took advantage of hesitation on the right of the Hermes defence and fired an unstoppable shot past the helpless Lee Sweeney.

Four minutes gone – two goals and a red card – a whirlwind start!

Even in the early stages of the match, it was obvious that this was a much improved Hermes performance from Saturday and this was underlined midway through the half when ERIK THOMSON struck twice in seven minutes to give the home side a two-goal cushion.

His first was a free kick from wide on the right which evaded everyone and ended up in the corner of Matthew Mackie’s goal.

His second followed some great build up play by new signing Mike Smith, who made headway up the left and found Thomson with a pass fired into the middle of the park. Thomson’s first touch was exquisite giving him time and space to fire the ball home from fifteen yards.

Deveronside were by no means out of things at this stage as they kept their composure and continued to play the ball on the ground as they attempted to force their way back into the match.

They were rewarded in 37 minutes when Lee Smith handled the ball on the ground, inside the penalty box, after he had slipped while attempting a clearance.

Chris Blackhall stepped up to take the spot kick but Lee Sweeney in the home goal dived full length to his right to save and, although the ball rolled invitingly across the goalmouth, Lee Smith was first to react and belted the ball clear.

Half-time: Hermes 3-1 Deveronside

Conditions were less than ideal as the second half got underway and the frost settled on the pitch, but, with players of both sides staying on their feet and trying to play football, the game was providing good entertainment for the spectators.

ERIK THOMSON struck again, on the hour mark, to claim his hat-trick, when he was in the ideal position to fire home a cross from Stephen Jack who had made a rampaging run up the right, rounded off with a pinpoint cross.

Before the game restarted Fraser Strachan replaced Grant Campbell at the heart of the home defence.

Five minutes later the match was over as Lee Smith and Craig Macklin linked up on the right allowing the latter to send over a cross which debutant MIKE SMITH met eight yards out, to send a looping header high into the visitors’ net.

Once again Hermes took the opportunity to introduce a substitute, as hat-trick hero Erik Thomson made way for Josh Winton.

The home side committed their final sub in 72 minutes when Keith Wilson came on for Alan McRae.

Hermes continued to pour forward in attack as the ten-men of Deveronside tired visibly and it was no surprise when they extended their lead in 77 minutes after Lee Smith headed a corner against the post and KEVIN STEWART volleyed home from twelve yards.

With the game in added time, STEPHEN JACK rounded off the scoring with a well-deserved counter, when he cut inside, after a long run up the right, to give keeper Mackie no chance with a fierce low shot.

Full-time: Hermes 7-1 Deveronside

After Saturday’s woeful display at Inverness , there was some apprehension as to how the team would react, but, the events of the first minute, a red card for Deveronside and a goal, provided the ideal start to calm any nerves for the Uniconn Park side.

To their credit Deveronside struck back and didn’t allow their heads to go down, but, a lack of composure in front of goal, a penalty miss and tiring legs, eventually cost them dear.

As the game turned out, Hermes always looked in control but the margin of victory was quite surprising, given the recent history between these two sides.

Hermes finishing was clinical and provided a welcome boost to their goal difference.

A tough run of games looms, with a home fixture against Maud followed by visits to St Ternan and New Elgin, which should begin to give a clearer picture of the league standings.