Gavin Price was thrilled to see Kane Hester bag a sparkling treble to earn Elgin City a 3-0 weekend win over Albion Rovers in League Two.
However, the City boss was keen to highlight the work and talent of the support team behind the forward as the Moray club got their first league victory of the season.
Elgin had begun their league season with a 2-2 draw against Stranraer and a 3-1 loss at Cowdenbeath, so this was a timely result as deadly Hester took his tally in competitive matches to seven.
That followed on from a brace against Hibs Colts in midweek to book a second-round tie with Dunfermline Athletic in the SPFL Trust Trophy.
Ice-cool finishing from Hester made all the difference against a Rovers side who showed what they could do in flashes on their first visit since winning 5-2 at Borough Briggs back in April.
Price claimed Hester could have had six on Saturday, but was delighted to see his main striker finish off Rovers, with help from his team-mates.
He said: “Kane could have had two hat-tricks – and that’s not me having a go at him.
“His movement was terrific to get these chances. He was aided by the other forward players, who I felt were excellent, including Conor O’Keefe, Tony Dingwall and Brian Cameron. They got closer to him and allowed him to create these chances.”
A first clean sheet of the season was also noted, with Thomas McHale back in goal, while Daniel Hoban gets over a foot knock, and a fine debut for 19-year-old Dundee United defender Nathan Cooney, who has joined the Black and Whites on loan until January.
It was a confident, front-foot approach from Elgin against opponents who not only beat them twice last season, but began their league season with a 2-0 win over Edinburgh City before drawing with Stenhousemuir.
Rovers had their moments in the game, with their best chance coming from Declan Byrne as he lashed a shot which McHale pushed away superbly at 2-0.
Swift first half brace set tone
However, two Hester goals within five first half minutes set the tone for the hosts, who had a swagger and belief in their play.
The opener came when the striker got the ball following a darting drive down the left by Connor O’Keefe and he turned James McGowan before watching his deflected shot get the better of goalkeeper Cameron Binnie.
Rovers were rattled and soon 2-0 down when Hester raced on to a pass from Rory MacEwan and finished low past the keeper.
The icing on the cake came less than 60 seconds into the second half when, this time from a Brian Cameron through ball, Hester again came out on top of a one-to-one with Binnie.
Elgin are away to Rothes in the North of Scotland Cup last eight on Wednesday before hosting Forfar Athletic in the league on Saturday.
ELGIN CITY (4-4-2): McHale 6, Cooney 6, Spark 6, McHardy 6, Little 6, MacEwan 6 (MacPhee 60), Russell Dingwall 7, Cameron 7 (Peters 75), Hester 9 (Allen 83), Tony Dingwall 6 (Mailer 75), O’Keefe 7 (Sopel 83). Subs not used: Hoban (GK), Lawrence, MacBeath, Nicolson.
ALBION ROVERS (4-4-2): Binnie 6, Lynas 6, Leslie 6, El-Zubaidi 6 (Robinson 62), McGowan 6, Callum Wilson 6 (Fagan 52), Roberts 7, David Wilson 6, Doherty 6 (Stevenson 52), Byrne 7, Lewis Wilson 6 (Dolan 52). Subs not used: Smith (GK).
REFEREE: Steven Reid 6.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Kane Hester.
ATTENDANCE: 488.
