It was an astonishing victory for Glenrothes Stroller Colts in the AFYFC Division 2 on Saturday, as they produced a stunning 8-4 scoreline against Hearts of Beath at Over Stenton Park.

 

Both sides find themselves towards the lower end of the AFYFC table, but both proved that they had the capability to put the other under pressure, with the individual technical wizardry of Strollers winger Robbie MaCauley playing a key role in the result.

 

It was Hearts of Beath who got off to a flying start through trialist Dylan Hodge who was played through after just two minutes on the clock. The striker rounded Strollers 'keeper Callum MaCauley to slot into the empty net to give his side the early lead.

 

Things went from bad to worse for Strollers in the opening minutes as 'keeper Callum MaCauley had suffered an injury just a minute later and had to be replaced.

 

Hearts made it two on the 10 minute mark after a great run down the right hand side from winger James Paterson. Paterson then lifted the ball over the Strollers replacement 'keeper into the path of Hodge, who had the simple task of tapping the ball into the net, doubling his side's lead as well as his own goal tally.

 

The second goal seemed to wake up the Colts after a very lacklustre beginning to the match and they reduced the deficit just three minutes later. Winger Robbie MaCauley cut in from the right wing and managed to beat three defenders on his way to placing the ball underneath Hearts 'keeper Rory McDonnell to bring Strollers back into the game.

 

The home side could have been level on the 17th minute after MaCauley was played through one-on-one with the 'keeper, only to have his shot well saved by McDonnell.

 

Strollers didn't have to wait long however to earn their equaliser and found it on the 19 minute mark. Once again it was a result of MaCauley's skill on the ball as he managed to get the better of Hearts defender Bailey Nicol and slot into the back of the net to level the scores.

 

With their tails up, Strollers took control of the remainder of the half and took the lead on the 25 minute mark. MaCauley's free-kick was tipped onto the bar by McDonnell, who unfortuntely saw the ball fall to the feet of Kian Ross who slotted the ball into the empty net to give the home side the lead for the first time in the match.

 

Hearts were down after giving up the lead but were far from out of the match and continued to look for a equalising goal. They nearly had it after 33 minutes when a great turn and pass from Brandon Gonsales played in Hodge, who cut back onto his left foot to shoot, producing a good save from the Strollers 'keeper.

 

A great chance was spurned on the 36 minute mark when a cross by Nicol was deflected into the path of Hodge, who swiped at the ball quickly with his weaker foot, ultimately sending the shot wide.

 

But the best chance for Beath came just before half time when Hodge played the ball in towards fellow trialist Daniel Carr, who turned his header from six yards just wide.  

Hearts were made to pay for their missed chances at the end of the first half as Strollers made a strong start to the second. They extended their lead after just four minutes with a stroke of great fortune. A ball in from the left my MaCauley was cleared away by a Hearts defender directly into the knee of Alex Osbourne and into the net.

 

Hearts recovered well and grabbed a goal back and it was a hat-trick for trialist Hodge. A free-kick near the halfway line by Gonsales was well controlled by the striker, who took the time to get the right shot off into the net to bring Hearts back into the game once again.

 

On the 51st minute Strollers restored their two goal advantage. A defensive mix-up at the back for Beath gave MaCauley the opportunity to take the ball and slot underneath McDonnell for his hat-trick.

 

Strollers once again took control of the match and had a sixth just over five minutes later and it was MaCauley again, picking up a long ball from the back and placing the ball past the 'keeper.

 

15 minutes from time they added a seventh through Travis Waterson, who hit a looping shot over McDonnell to further consolidate Strollers' lead. It was eight four minutes later when MaCauley laid the ball to Louis Young, who sent his shot under the 'keeper.

 

Hearts did have something to celebrate in the 72nd minute when Gonsales turned and hit an ambitious shot from just inside the opposition half, catching out the replacement Strollers 'keeper and adding a fourth for Hearts.

 

That completed the scoring in what was an incredibly entertaining match. Neither team were willing to give in and both were creating chances right until the end.

 

Strollers will have Robbie MaCauley to thank for putting in a star performance, providing nearly all of the goals for his team.