Match reporter: JOHN LAING

Thornton Hibs first ever Premier League game ended up being one to forget because despite them coming close to finding the net a few times there's no doubt that the visitors deserved to take all three points back to Beechwood Park.

With only two minutes on the clock Jason Watson's low cross ended up flashing just wide of goal but five minutes later at the other end Conor Kelly gave Sauchie the lead.

Shortly after, Keir Allan headed Lewis Rodger's free-kick wide before Scott Davidson came close to doubling Sauchie's lead when he got on the end of Jonathon Kavanagh's corner-kick but Watson did well to clear off the line.

Ciaran Healy almost snatched an equaliser but Jacob Weatherby in the visitors goal was equal to the task and instead barely sixty seconds later Kelly netted his second to complete the first half-scoring although Craig Doctor in the home goal saved well to deny Fekete and then Russell Grierson deflected Kyle Cringeon's shot over the bar.

Early in the second half a great left wing dash by Healy ended with him sending in a cross that Campbell Dowie headed against the upright before being hastily cleared.

Fekete netted Sauchie's third goal in the 55th minute before Harris Jolicouer came close to reducing the leeway with a shot that struck the outside of the post, his first touch after being introduced as a substitute.

Despite Joe Kinninmonth and Sean Cunningham both coming close to finding the net it was just one of those days that it appeared that the Hibs could've played 'til midnight and still not found the net.

Thornton Hibs: Doctor, Rodger, Watson, Grierson, Cunningham, Allan, Dowie, Black, Kinninmonth, McBay, Healy. Subs: Jarrett, Bennet, Fyffe (T), Jolicoeur, McNab, Herd.

Sauchie: Weatherby, Willaghan, Kavanagh, Davidson, Cringean, Scott, Hutchison, Griffiths, Kelly, Stubberfield, Fekete. Subs: Collumbine, McNabney, Severin, Hutchison, McGowan, Diack.

Man of the Match: RUSSELL GRIERSON (sponsored by Willie Syme and Mark Bruce)

Attendance: 134

Match statistics:
Attempts at goal - TH 9 SJ 6
Attempts on target - TH 4 SJ 6
Attempts blocked - TH 0 SJ 0
Corners - TH 3 SJ 7
Offside - TH 0 SJ 1
Free kicks conceded - TH 10 SJ 17
Yellow Cards - TH 1 SJ 3
Red Cards - TH 0 SJ 0

Statto's Corner:
* Three players made their competitive debuts for Thornton Hibs; Jason Watson, Campbell Dowie from the start and Kieran Herd from the bench to become the 214th different player to feature under Craig Gilbert.
* This was the very first League meeting between the sides and Sauchie Juniors became the 121st different side that Thornton Hibs have played in the League since turning Junior in 1935.
* Unfortunately, the Hibs were unable to emulate the side in November 1985 that defeated Sauchie 5-0 in a Fife and Lothians Cup second round tie. The opening goal was scored by Hibs' legend John Laing, with the match report (not written by John!) describing it as “…..the only goal of the first half, with full-back Laing making a superb back post run to convert a Thomson cross”.