LOCHAR kept themselves in the hunt at the top end of the South of Scotland League after a thumping 8-0 victory over a young St Cuthbert Wanderers side at Wilson Park.
The home side were quick out the blocks and the opening goal came on 13 minutes.
An inch perfect ball over the top from midfield from Lewis Todd found Scott Milligan who shuffled past two defenders before slotting home.
Lochar doubled their lead on 18 minutes when a Finlay Kennedy corner was bulleted home by Brodie Turner.
Soon after Kennedy curled the ball into the bottom corner for his 16th goal of the season to give Thistle a 3-0 lead at the break.
Thistle started the second half on the ascendency and when good play from Luis Dalziel set up Robbie Hogg, the latter made no mistake as he made it four on 55 minutes.
With the young Saints lads tiring, Lochar were ruthless and scored four more in the final 20 minutes.
Another excellent Todd ball over the top found Hogg who rifled home his second of the day and Thistle’s fifth.
Ten minutes from time excellent pressure from Dalziel forced the visiting defence into a mistake that allowed Hogg to advance from the midfield before slotting under the keeper to seal his hat trick.
Lochar scored a seventh not long after when a Kennedy corner was missed by everyone apart from the young defender at the back post who netted an unfortunate own goal.
Dalziel eventually got his rewards that his performance deserved five minutes from time. After the ball was misjudged by the defender he was in on goal and finished well.
Over in Lochmaben Abbey Vale hit five with no reply against the Burgh.
Braces from John Heyes and Dylan Bruce and a goal from long serving centre half Adam Kirk helped the New Abbey side to victory at Whitehills Park.
