THIS was a comprehensive victory for Thistle at King's Park on Saturday in their replayed second round tie of the Scottish Junior Cup.

The "Dalkeith Demolition" done job on Sauchie pitches the Jags into the last 64 of the national tournament. Following Sunday's draw for round three, Dalkeith will face Maybole in the next round.

Willie Pearson's men got off to a great start with a goal in only the second minute via the penalty spot when referee Lorraine Clark adjudged a hand ball against Sauchie right back Andy Traub, who was booked for his protests before Johnnie Kelly slotted home the spot kick amidst Sauchie mayhem past keeper Blair Hutton.

Sauchie were stung into action and stormed back against Dalkeith, who had a fine keeper in Kevin Keeson and an astute defence led by David Liddle.

Sauchie's David Beaton was booked for shouting foul and abusive language at the referee after a disputed line call. Chances were opening up at both ends when Kelly shot one effort wide then Sauchie's John Jeffrey fired too straight into Kesson's clutches.

The referee was forced to lecture the entire Sauchie bench to calm them down in a fiery atmosphere as Thistle stood firm and focussed protecting their narrow lead.

The home side did concede numerous dangerous free kicks around their penalty area and from one such kick Kieran Gratton saw his effort spilled by Kesson who retrieved the ball at David Hutton's feet.

In a stormy battle Thistle defended a double Sauchie corner attack in 36 minutes but towards the break Dalkeith came storming back into attack with Kelly denied by a fine save from Blair Hutton.

It had looked a tough second half in prospect with the big prize still to be won with both teams eager for success and while Sauchie still saw plenty of the possession a determined Dalkeith fought their corner so well.

A third Sauchie booking for Gratton for jumping into a tackle reflected their frustration before Thistle hit back in 53 minutes with a double corner flourish.

In 57 minutes, dissent earned Thistle's C Lynes a yellow card before lively Omar Ali tested Sauchie with a third corner from which Steven McDonald fed Kelly but he hit wide.

The tie's fifth booking was Fraser Lynes for a series of fouls but in 65 minutes it was 2-0 for the Jags.

A huge wind assisted kick out from goal saver and now goalmaker Kesson troubled the hesitant visiting defence and in nipped composed Kelly to take possession and cut round keeper Hutton escorting the ball into the empty Sauchie net.

Liddle again had a chance to make it three but went wide before a double substitution by Sauchie took off Beaton and
In 72 minutes it was goal number three for the King's Parkers as a free kick swung over from the right by Kenny Fisher saw a great header from F Lynes sweep into the Sauchie net for a crushing blow.

In the 80th minute goalscorer Kelly was replaced by Martin Cook and the substitute put the icing on the cake with a fourth Thistle goal side footing a super Ali corner into the Sauchie net as Dalkeith celebrated a great day.

In contrast Sauchie finished with 10 men as a second yellow card for Gratton taking his frustrations out on the referee saw him red carded.

Dalkeith Thistle has booked a 53-seater bus to take supporters through to Maybole for the third round tie on Saturday November 29. Twenty seats are available on a first come, first served basis. To book a seat contact vice-president Jimmy Butt on 07931 656 668.

If you would like your team to feature in the Midlothian Advertiser, send us your results, reports and pictures via this website.