Threave Rovers returned to winning ways with a victory over Glenvale on Saturday.
The Castle Douglas side ran out 7-3 winners in a goal-packed game, a week after their promotion hopes were dealt a blow by Easterhouse.
Boss Vinnie Parker said: “We were absolutely rampant. The goals we scored and the performance were really good.
“By half time the game was probably put to bed and I think one of the hardest things is to come out in the second half and keep the same tempo going. We were bopping it about and probably caused ourselves a couple of problems with that.
“We know it’s going to be a difficult run-in. We have six games left and we’re trying to take every game as it comes now. It’s another three points closer to getting promoted.
“There’s a lot of tough games round about us. St Peter’s have a hard run in, West Park have a really hard run in, so the landscape will change once again.”
Lewis Todd gave Threave the lead after just five minutes, Dean Brotherston crossing for Lewis Sloan to get the second.
Midway through the first half Brotherston got Threave’s third, with Dylan Cairnie soon getting the fourth.
The same player made it five before Glenvale got one back from the penalty spot just before the interval.
If the visitors were hoping that would spark a comeback, it failed to materialise as Brotherston notched a second and Threave’s fifth, although the visitors did score again soon after.
But late on Brotherston completed his hat-trick, Glenvale reducing the deficit late on.
A few miles along the road, a different Threave side were in action against St Cuthbert Wanderers.
The Utility Hut South of Scotland Challenge Cup clash was being played at St Mary’s Park, Threave sending a mix of youngsters and experienced players, such as Jack Steele, Paul Cook and Dan Orsi, as they lost 3-1.
Parker said: “It was either that or forfeit the game. Last time it happened we managed to move the game to the Sunday. This time, the league weren’t budging and Saints weren’t budging.
“I can see Saints’ point - they want to give themselves every opportunity to win. I’m proud of the lads that went down there.
“We had more than 30 Dumfries and Galloway players representing us, which is pretty remarkable.
“The kids did exceptionally well. It was a good opportunity for them. Stewart Benson and Logan Clive made their debuts and played a decent amount of minutes.
“For the young lads that came on in the last couple of minutes it was a good experience for them.
“Paul Cook is 41 and is retired, but as soon as we explained the situation it didn’t sit too well with him, so he was happy to help us out.
“It’s maybe something we need to look at going forward. Dalbeattie Star have never had to play two games in the same day.
“I can’t see the situation changing going forward, so if we remain in these cups I think we’re going to have to play the kids in them.”
Threave's Cree Lodge Cup clash with Wigtown on Wednesday was rained off.
On Saturday they go to Eglinton in the league.
Parker said: “It’s another 3G pitch in a cage, which is one of those environments we’ve fallen short in a few times.
“It’s on the boys this Saturday – we need to get three points and be at it straight from the start.
“Nobody is under any illusions about the task ahead of them.”
