St Patrick's in next round of cup

Nov 28 2008 by Marc McLean, Lennox Herald (main ed)

DOMENICO D’annunzio fired a hat-trick as St Pat’s dumped their East Kilbride opponents out the cup.

It was a well deserved victory for the Dumbarton lads but the home side looked more adventurous and it nearly paid off for them in the 18th minute when Kevin Connor did well to flick the ball over the cross bar from a Ross Miller effort.

The keeper was again called into action from the resultant corner kick when he punched a vicious shot from Dean Sheldon clear.

St Pat’s took full notice of the warning and got their reward when John Deeley headed down for D’annunzio to squeeze the ball over the line despite close attention of several defenders.

Centre drew level before the interval when the impressive Ross Whiting headed home from distance.

However, Saints were ahead again just minutes after the restart. Connor cleared the ball out to MacLeod, who immediately set D’annunzio off on a dazzling run from the half-way line before taking on Cameron and then Dykes prior to drilling the ball expertly into the net.

John Deeley then tested Dykes with a wonderful shot that brought out an equally fine save and this break gave the home side an incentive to get forward again.

Centre levelled when a free-kick dropped into the heart of the Saints’ defence and veteran Stewart Byers headed into the net.

This left St Pat’s with 25 minutes to recue the situation and Mark MacLeod got the better of the attention of two defenders before swerving a shot past the stranded keeper to put his team back in front.

St Pat’s were now in complete control and would get the comfort of a fourth when Dominic Ruane netted from 30-yards.

Then in the closing minutes D’annunzio completed his days work. MacKinnon opened up the play and Domenico slipped past two opponents before curling the ball past the advancing Dykes for a deserved hat-trick.

The club now looks forward to league business next week with trip to play Chryston AFC.

Club draw lucky numbers: 6, 11, 13, 16.

ST PAT’S: K Connor, A Galloway, J Deeley, B Deeley, J Graham, D MacKinnon, M King, D Ruane, M MacLeod, D D’annunzio, M Currie. Subs: A Monaghan, C Docherty.