Threave Rovers gained revenge on St Peter’s in style on Saturday.
The Paisley side were the first to beat Vinnie Parker’s men in the West of Scotland League’s fourth division when they ran out 2-1 winners in October.
However, Rovers put that right with a convincing 4-0 victory in a game that was moved to Palmerston due to Meadow Park being deemed unplayable.
Parker said: “We’re finding our feet in this league. Once you’ve played everybody you’ve got a rough idea of what you’re going to be up against and can prepare a bit better.
“In the first few months, you can get caught blind by teams and they were one that did that. They’re a young, well organised, fit team. We definitely got caught a bit cold by them the first time around.
“It was a really mature performance. We didn’t let them get any sort of rhythm. We knew when to slow the game down and speed it up. We played with a real calmness and maturity and it was an exceptional performance.”
Connor Potts fired Threave into an early lead and he headed in the second from Dylan Cairnie’s cross 10 minutes before the break.
And there was still time for a third just before the interval, Tam Coles pouncing to score after Cairnie’s initial shot had been saved.
Midway through the second period Potts completed his hat-trick after good work from Dean Brotherston.
Parker added: “We spoke at
half-time about the first five or 10 minutes of the second half. We’ve fallen into that trap before at Campbelltown where you’ve got that good lead and it’s hard to come out the traps motivated.
“You know they’re going to change their shape and come after you. That’s where we showed a lot of maturity and managed the game well.
“We slowed things down at corners and throw ins and made sure we were set up, keeping safe in possession. It was a really calm, mature performance.”
Threave are due to be back at Meadow Park this weekend in the SFA South Region Challenge Cup. And they’ll be able to test themselves against opponents from a higher division in the shape of Whitletts Victoria.
Parker said: “It’s a cup we want to do well in and hopefully progress.
“Young Connor Potts scored a hat-trick on Saturday and has been absolutely phenomenal so hopefully he keeps continuing that form.”
