Goal of the season contender, fifth tier club stun SPFL side, six-goal rout- Premier Sports Cup round-up

Dundee came from behind twice to avert the prospect of another Premier Sports Cup defeat at home to Airdrie as they kicked off their campaign with a 4-2 victory.

The Dark Blues went down 1-0 to the Diamonds a year ago in Steven Pressley’s first game in charge and it looked like history was about to repeat itself when the Premiership club trailed at the break. An own goal from goalkeeper Harrison Sharp gave Airdrie an early lead before Charlie Reilly levelled for Dundee.

Sam Fisher netted an audacious free-kick from just inside the Dundee half that restored the visitors’ lead before the break, but the hosts gained the upper hand with goals from Ethan Hamilton, Joe Bevan and Ashley Hay before full-time.

How did Premier Sports Cup holders get on in opening match?

“I was encouraged by certain aspects of our play,” Pressley said. “Other areas, I think it was pretty evident that we were a little bit loose, lacking sharpness, lacking intensity in a couple of the areas. Especially defensively, we were a little bit disconnected at times. So these are all areas that we know we need to improve on. We scored four goals, we created a lot of chances.”

City rivals United meanwhile were also made to sweat in their opener as former Scotland international Steven Whittaker took charge of League Two’s Stirling Albion for the first time. A 93rd minute Zac Sapsford penalty was needed to seal three points for the Tangerines at Forthbank after failing to break down their hosts in open play. There were more comfortable victories for Premiership rivals Falkirk and St Mirren. The Bairns romped to a 5-0 away win over Edinburgh City, with four of their goals coming in the opening 35 minutes.

Ross MacIver and Connor Allan notched either side of a Ben Parkinson double before MacIver sealed a brace of his own late on. Holders St Mirren began their defence of the trophy by cruising to an impressive 4-0 triumph at Dumbarton in their first match since Craig McLeish was appointed boss on a permanent basis earlier this summer. New signings Samuel Ramos and Chris Mochrie both notched in the first half and Spaniard Ramos added his second in the 73rd minute, four minutes before teenager Thomas Falconer sealed the win.

“Just a really professional performance,” McLeish said. “Delighted to get off to a winning start. We have spoken about this not being an extension of pre-season for us and this is our season starting. We are the holders of the competition and I said to the players that we need to get off to a good start. We have to make sure we get through the group first and foremost and then make sure if someone is going to take the trophy off us, they are going to have to fight us for it. A good start, professional but still with lots to work on, we just need to keep building from here. There is no room for error. You can’t really slip up and expect to get out the group.”

The most eye-catching result of the day was East Kilbride’s stunning 3-0 home victory over last season’s Scottish Cup finalists Dunfermline. The League One side put Neil Lennon’s Championship promotion hopefuls to the sword through goals from Lewis McGrattan, Finlay Gray and Cameron Elliott.

What fifth tier side defeated a team from the SPFL?

“It’s my fault,” Lennon said post-match. “We were totally undercooked. Not ready yet and we could see that very early on in the game. East Kilbride were way ahead of us in terms of physicality, speed and understanding. We have got work to do but it’s still very early. We’re going to have to get up to speed a lot quicker as well.”

The Pars’ second-tier rivals Morton also suffered a humbling defeat as they went down 1-0 at home to Lowland League side Linlithgow Rose. Elsewhere, Brian Graham scored a double as Ross County enjoyed a 4-1 win at Annan, while fellow veteran Gary Mackay-Steven also notched a brace in Partick Thistle’s 6-0 demolition of Brechin at Firhill.

Former Livingston boss Marvin Bartley kicked off his reign in charge of Stenhousemuir with a 2-0 home victory over Forfar. New Ayr boss Gary Naysmith also enjoyed a winning start as his side came from behind twice to defeat Stranraer 3-2 at Stair Park. Raith Rovers won 3-1 at home to Elgin, while Inverness and Kelty Hearts both won on penalties after 1-1 draws with East Fife and Queen of the South respectively. Premiership trio Kilmarnock, St Johnstone and Aberdeen begin their Premier Sports Cup campaign on Tuesday evening.