Hermes overcame a potentially tricky obstacle in the shape of fellow Premier League side Stonehaven to progress to the second stage of the North Regional Cup, where they will meet current Championship leaders Sunnybank.
After a tight opening half hour, the home side went in front after 36 minutes with a good move down the left by skipper Connor McKenzie, which ended with a cross that was converted by Jack Craig with a rare-headed finish.
Two minutes later, the Lochside Park outfit doubled their advantage when James McMahon’s cut-back from the left was met on the half-volley by Paul Esslemont.
There was still time for the home team to add another before the interval, when yet another break down the left-hand side saw the ball centred to Joe Burr – whose sliding finish gave Reece Duncan no chance.
On the hour mark, Burr completed the goal action after being set up by McMahon, sealing a 4-0 Hermes victory.
Hermes assistant manager Steve Watson was enthusiastic about his team’s performance, saying: “We were very good. That was the most dominant we’ve been this season over a 90-minute period – and who knows what the final score could have been if we’d got one early on.
“Reece Duncan was excellent between the sticks for them and some of our finishing could have been better.
“They’re a good, well-organised side and when we played them in the league a few weeks ago, it was 1-0 and – while we were on top – they were really stuffy and hard to break down.
“I’ve got to say, I thought Connor McKenzie was unbelievable again, as he has been all season. To my mind, he’s the best player in the juniors in the north-east and I’m not the only one who thinks that.”
Having received a bye in the Quest Engineering Cup, Hermes have a weekend off this time round before league matches against Banchory St. Ternan at home and Montrose Roselea at Links Park – and Steve is relishing a return to league action.
He added: “We came through a tricky run of games earlier in the season and we’re happy with how we’re playing now, despite only having four on the bench on Saturday.
“We always fancy ourselves against anyone at home and we know it’ll be tough in Montrose, where it’s a plastic pitch that they’re used to training and playing on.”
A hamstring injury continues to rule out Jack Tait, but Ryan Begg, who hasn’t kicked a ball in anger all season, is back in training following his broken foot.
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