Seventh heaven!

Aug 27 2008 by Gavin Pennie, Paisley Daily Express

St Mirren 7 - 0 Dumbarton

SIZZLING Saints played ‘seven-ly’ football last night as they made life hell for the sorry Sons.

An impressive hat-trick by Billy Mehmet, a classy finish from Andy Dorman and further strikes from Steven Robb, Craig Dargo and Gary Mason sent the Buddies marching into the third round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup in real style.

The scoreline certainly didn’t flatter Gus MacPherson’s men. In fact, they could easily have notched up double figures against a Dumbarton team who were simply swept aside.

MacPherson made two changes to the side which lost 2-1 to Hearts at the weekend, with Robb coming in for Spanish winger Tonet and Jim Hamilton taking the place of Stephen O’Donnell.

The opening 15 minutes were fairly tame stuff as Saints were restricted to harmless long-range efforts.

But they went ahead after 18 minutes when the Sons were caught out with a through ball that pierced the heart of their defence and Robb – who was making his competitive debut for St Mirren – ran in on goal before steadying himself and firing home past David McEwan from just inside the penalty area.

Mehmet was running the visitors ragged and further chances were passed up before the Buddies doubled their advantage after 33 minutes.

This time, Franco Miranda was the architect as he rampaged down the left before swinging in a wicked cross that Dumbarton defender Michael O’Byrne failed to clear.

The ball dropped kindly for Mehmet, who swivelled and thumped a low drive into the back of the net.

Seven minutes later, it was 3-0, courtesy of a clever goal from Dorman.

He picked up the ball in midfield and played a neat one-two with Hamilton on the edge of the box before cooly chipping his shot over the helpless McEwan.

The tie was effectively over at half-time but Saints came out for the second period looking hungry for more goals.

And the floodgates opened after 50 minutes when Mehmet bagged his second.

Brady slipped a killer pass through the middle of the Dumbarton rearguard and the big striker gathered the ball before twisting and turning to create a shooting chance and then firing home with ease.

Two minutes later, it was 5-0 to Saints and Mehmet had his hat-trick.

The impressive Robb collected a pass wide on the left and floated in a dangerous cross to the back post, where Mehmet was on hand to crash home a header.

MacPherson then rang the changes as the hat-trick hero was cheered from the pitch to be replaced by Dennis Wyness and Hamilton made way for Craig Dargo.

Former Inverness strike duo Wyness and Dargo looked in the mood as they renewed the partnership that brought them success in the Highlands.

And, after 74 minutes, Dargo made his presence felt by grabbing St Mirren’s sixth goal.

The Dumbarton defenders failed to clear a Miranda corner and poacher Dargo pounced to stab a shot from close range into the net.

Three minutes later, the rout was completed as Mason grabbed a goal.

A tame cross into the Dumbarton penalty area should have been cleared but, not for the first time, the visitors made a hash of it and Mason drilled the loose ball home.

There were further chances for Saints to increase their lead but the Sons managed to keep them at bay.

The Buddies can expect a tougher test in the next round but last night’s goal glut will give them plenty of encouragement.

ST MIRREN: Howard; Ross, Haining, Potter, Miranda; Dorman (Murray 73), Mason, Brady, Robb; Mehmet (Wyness 58) and Hamilton (Dargo 58)

DUMBARTON: McEwan; Lennon, Wilson, O’Byrne, Gordon; Clark, Chisholm, Logan (Gray 66), Keegan (Tiernan 56); Gourlay (Brannan 56) and Murray

Attendance: 1,747

Star Saint: Billy Mehmet