The scoreline would suggest a Valentines Day Massacre and whilst there’s no doubt that the home side deserved to take the honours from this Fife and Lothians Cup-tie, the margin of victory was a tad harsh on Craig Gilbert’s men.

Goals from Francis Kelly & Roddy Maclennan had The Rose two ahead at the interval although the Hibs had their moments, most memorably when Scott Christie made a brilliant flying save to push Mathew Gay’s 25-yard blast around the post.

At 2-0, the Hibs were still in the game and who knows what might have happened if a penalty had been awarded when Gay went down in the area. Instead, the next goal came from Kevin Kelbie in the 57th minute and this meant that the game was all over bar the shouting.

To rub salt in the wounds, Linlithgow’s fourth goal came from the penalty spot after Thomas Coyne went down in the area and then near the end Coyne capitalised on slack defending to make it five.
 
Window Store Hibs’ Man of the Match – Ian Shanks 
 
Linlithgow Rose: Christie, Wilson, McGown, Thom, McKillen, Nelson, Kelly, Batchelor, Strickland, Kelbie, Roddy Maclennan. Subs: Coyne, Smith, Ruari Maclennan, O’Bryne, McKinven.
 
Referee: Mr E. Cairns