YFS
Four goals from Brian Connor helped Glenvale retain the Scottish Cup as they blew Fairmuir away in Airdrie.
Connor’s four goals were added to by Euan Rodger, Fraser Lee and John Cumming as Glenvale lifted the trophy for the second consecutive season.
Glenvale couldn’t have asked for a better start as they took the lead after just three minutes through Euan Rodger. Fraser Lee picked the ball up in midfield and released Brian Connor in behind the Fairmuir defence.
Connor’s strike was tame but an uncharacteristic mistake from Cameron Hendry saw the Fairmuir keeper spill the ball into the path of Rodger, who bundled the ball over the line from a matter of yards out.
It was a nightmare start for Fairmuir, whose first chance came courtesy of a long-range effort from Mark McCrory on the 10 minute mark.
Things got better for Glenvale after 12 minutes when Rodger turned provider for Connor with a volleyed pass that Connor gathered before rounding Hendry and slipping the ball into the net.
Two minutes later, Connor had the ball in the net again as Glenvale added to their lead. The striker flicked the ball through to Sean Borland, who cut the ball back for Connor, who squeezed it past Hendry into the bottom corner.
Fairmuir were beginning to see more of the ball but couldn’t ask any questions of Ciaran McDowall in the Glenvale goal.
Glenvale added a fourth goal on 27 minutes when Connor’s cross was cleared as far Fraser Lee, who fired a low shot home through the legs of Hendry from eight yards.
Connor completed his hattrick after 32 minutes when he was played in by Aidan McLaughlin, before once again rounding Hendry and slipping the ball into the net.
Ross Hazel hit a shot wide from 20 yards for Fairmuir before Connor saw a header bounce over the bar from close range.
Connor found Borland with a deft flick that sent the midfielder through one-on-one with Hendry, but the Fairmuir keeper stood up and kept out the low effort.
In first half injury time, Glenvale got their sixth goal through John Cumming, who powered a header home from a corner.