Hermes kicked off the new season with a Section Two Grill League Cup Tie against an under-strength New Elgin side at sunny Uniconn Park and they stormed into the lead in only two minutes.
STEVENSON was brought down at the edge of the six-yard box, and from the resulting spot kick, the Hermes striker neatly found the corner of the net, tucking the ball past the diving Lobban.

The home side were enjoying the bulk of the possession, but were finding the visitors defence hard to break down.

With almost half an hour gone the hosts doubled their advantage when Cruickshank raced to the bye-line, just reaching a through ball in time to send over an inviting cross which MCLACHLAN met first time, volleying the ball into the net past the helpless keeper.

Hermes put the game beyond New Elgin with a two-goal burst in 35 and 38 minutes, when both BROWN and CAMPBELL scored with powerful headers from D.Wilson corners.

Half time: Hermes 4-0 New Elgin

In an action replay of the first half, Hermes scored right at the start of the second period and it was STEVENSON again doing the damage, racing into the box to sweep home a pinpoint cross from D.Wilson, 5-0!

The Superleague side were now in total control of the game, and it was no surprise when they went 6-0 up six minutes later, as L.SMITH scored from the edge of the box with a glorious right foot volley, after Brown headed a corner back into the danger area.

The home side took the opportunity to give their subs some game time, with new signing Scoular replacing McRae and M.Smith replacing D.Wilson.

In 66 minutes, CLOSE replaced D.Wilson and the sub made an immediate impact, cutting inside from the left wing to fire the ball past Lobban with a powerful low shot.

With 10 minutes remaining L.SMITH scored his second and Hermes 8th rounding off a neat passing move with a crisp finish.

M.SMITH rounded off the scoring, deep into injury time, after good work by McLachlan set him and scored from close range.

Full time: Hermes 9-0 New Elgin