The Colts travelled to Milton of Balgonie to face Glenrothes in the first of the Jon Harrison Memorial Trophy games.
It was the visitors that got off to the brightest start as they largely dominated the opening 45 minutes.
Andrew Reade went close in only the 6th minute when his one-two with Callum Grindlay rattled the crossbar. Reade wasn’t to be denied as few minutes later he received a pass from Greg Stapleton on the right hand side of the area and he turned and despatched a powerful shot from an acute angle past the keeper for 1-0.
Daniel Kenny that doubled the Colts’ lead in the 19th minute when he knocked home from close range Lewis Caulfield’s header across the face of the goal from a Jamie Tierney free-kick.
It was a perfect opening for the Colts and left-back Max Morrison and Kenny both standing out with some strong play.
Reade went close again after great play but his lofted effort just beat the crossbar before the number 20 (worn instead of the retired number 10 shirt for the late Ciaran Reilly) came off injured ten minutes before half time.
The hosts came close to pulling a goal back just before half time when McLellan’s shot was saved well by the feet of Mark Robertson. It had been an encouraging and determined first half for the Colts, but Glenrothes did come more into the game in the second period and creating one or two scares.
Robertson had to be on his guard to pull off fine saves from Livingston and McVey before sub Scott Powrie extended the lead to 3-0 after Grindlay’s effort was tipped onto the outside of the post and ran along the line. Powrie reacted quickest, recovering the ball, cutting inside and smashing home from close range in the 70th minute.
Powrie and Grindlay both had golden opportunities to score again, with Powrie being denied by the keeper when through on goal, and Grindlay failing to find the target with a free header from 8 yards out.
Substitute Jamie Forrester made an almost-instant impact five minute after entering play when he cheekily chipped into an empty net for 4-0 after the keeper had came out to deny Kenny from scoring in the 80th minute.
The hosts got onto the scoresheet immediately after with sub Doyle tapping home from close range. There was a further scare in the 86th minute when Glenrothes reduced the deficit to 4-2 when McVey headed home unmarked at the far post.
But Forrester put the game finally to bed in the 88th minute when he slammed home from close range from Powrie’s ball across the box. The game certainly had opened up in the final 20 minutes as fitness began to tell for both sides. But it was a blistering and controlled first half display from the Colts which gave much to be encouraged and happy about.
There were plenty of good performances over the park. Caulfield and Stewart were largely mopping up any danger that came their way, with Robertson behind coming to the rescue.
Tierney and Sanaghan did well in the middle of the park, whilst Wilson, Grindlay and Reade were all a threat alongside a hard-working display up top from Kenny. Whilst all 5 subs were used, Powrie and Forrester made greatest impact with both finding the target.
Both Colts’ full backs did well getting forward, but the Committee Man of the Match went to young 17 year old Max Morrison on his debut who played beyond his years with an excellent and exciting display getting up and down the flank.
