Hermes 4-2 Sunnybank

Hermes manager Steven Watson wasn’t best pleased with his team’s performance despite running out 4-2 winners against Sunnybank to commence their defence of The Grill Cup.

James McMahon, Paul Esslemont, Joe Burr and Dominic Rae were all on the scoresheet for the home side, with goals from Sunnybank’s Ricky Mearns and Liam Todd rounding out an entertaining tie at Lochside Park.

Steven said: “It might sound strange after winning the game, but I thought we were poor tonight. The scoreline suggests a comfortable game for us but the boys know I’m not happy.

“Sunnybank gave us a great game tonight; they turned up and manage to control spells of the match, challenging well in the air.

“It’s always said that cup games are all about getting through but I’m leaving here thinking we should be better.

“There were some great performances tonight; [Paul] Esslemont was fantastic again, but the lads know we can be better individually and as a team.

“We’ve got a big game next weekend [Scottish Community Cup Vs Blantyre Victoria] who will be physical and aggressive; I want to make sure we are challenging for every ball and chance.”

Hermes settled well and grabbed an early lead when McMahon caught a long diagonal, before cutting in from the left and unleashing a curling effort into the bottom right corner in the 8th minute.

Sunnybank were in ascendance after going behind and restored parity on the half hour mark. Mearns latched onto a through ball and rifled his effort past Hermes ‘keeper Jacob Otto and into the near corner.

The game would only be level for 3 minutes before Hermes retook the lead. Esslemont caught a long ball and rounded the Sunnybank shot-stopper before rolling into an open net.

Sunnybank were back in the game after the restart, but Hermes grabbed a third on the hour mark. Esslemont was involved again, playing Andrew Davidson through to cut the ball back towards Burr, who chipped the ‘keeper from close range.

Hermes started to control the game and managed a killer fourth. A deep corner was nodded back across goal and captain Rae was on hand to smash the ball in from point-blank range in the 80th minute.

Deep into stoppage time Sunnybank substitute Tome Traca was felled in the box by Otto and Todd stepped up to give the away side a late consolation, placing his penalty high in the top right corner.