BY Jamie Banks

St Cuthbert Wanderers are through to the second round of the Scottish Cup following a resounding 8-0 victory over Wigtown and Bladnoch.

Aidan Meechan opened the scoring for Saints with a long range free kick which the keeper was unable to keep out of the net.

As the first half continued Saints began to dominate the play, and found their second goal when Dale Milligan was brought down inside the box for a penalty, which he then converted.

Shortly after the half-time interval, Wigtown and Bladnoch had the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled offside by the assistant referee.

Saints responded to this immediately with a ball over the top finding striker Ross Hunter, who rounded the keeper before adding to the scoreboard.

Two goals in quick succession then followed, first Milligan showed great composure to hold off two opposition defenders before dispatching a calm effort into the net. Then a fine team move culminating in a backheel pass from Hunter set up Meechan for his second goal of the match.

Despite this comfortable goal margin, Saints didn’t ease off the pressure.

Hunter brought down a cross from Kelly, and while falling backwards was able to fire an impressive volleyed strike past the keeper.

An error at the back for the hosts put Saints 7 ahead, as a Hunter effort deflected off a Wigtown and Bladnoch defender and past the keeper into the net.

With full-time fast approaching Meechan’s persistence in front of goal paid off, with the Saints’ midfielder prodding his shot home , securing a Scottish Cup hattrick and rounding off a strong team performance.

Saints are now the sole representative of the South of Scotland Football League in the Scottish Cup and will face Gala Fairydean Rovers, at home, in the second round.