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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Colin Paterson

Six of the best for Irvine Victoria as Kevin Adam hat-trick sinks lowly Lugar

Irvine Victoria 6 Lugar Boswell Thistle 0

Dougie MacDuff savoured Irvine Victoria's goal rush as Kevin Adam's hat-trick secured a sixth win in seven games.

The Westenders continued their impressive start to the West of Scotland League Third Division season by romping to victory over struggling Lugar Boswell Thistle.

Vics were never in any serious danger although it only became comfortable with four goals netted in the final 15 minutes of the game.

MacDuff's men are sitting in third place in the table and sit just a point behind leaders Larkhall Thistle.

The gaffer told Ayrshire Football News: "I told the boys to go out and express themselves and make a statement so we can get back in the mix at the top.

"We brought Kevin back to the club for his experience and the number of goals he can score in games. We've plenty of goals in us.

Irvine Victoria keeper Lochlin Highet takes a cross into the box (Irvine Herald)

"Overall, the performance was fantastic. We knew we would be up against it and had to start the game right. We did that.

"I've set standards and at the start of the season I told them exactly what I'm looking for. It's up to them to perform every single week as there is plenty of talent on the bench. I've never been with a group of boys who push themselves as hard as they do in training."

Vics handed a debut to keeper Lochlin Highet, the Sports Editor at the Kilmarnock Standard, and the manager thanked the 24-year-old for answering his SOS call.

MacDuff added: "He has never played at this level before and he had a couple of fantastic saves.

"I asked him to come in the other day and he accepted the challenge without any hesitation. It was very much appreciated and it's absolutely fantastic for the boy."

Adam struck after just three minutes before Highet twice denied Lugar midfielder Craig Connell from free-kicks; the second set-piece having taken a wicked deflection.

Alessandro Savarese made it 2-0 in the 27th minute with Franny Kilpatrick rattling the bar after the break as Vics pressed for a third.

The floodgates did open towards the end. Adam took advantage of a howler from Lugar custodian Scott Johnstone and then completed his treble despite the visitors screaming for offside.

A fantastic long-range effort from Kilpatrick made it 5-0 to leave the buoyant Boyle Street faithful purring.

In the final minute, substitute Gerard Clark kept his composure to fire home and seal a successful afternoon at the office for a Vics team who are in some rich early-season form.

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