Linlithgow ease past Stoneyburn in League Cup opener

Striker Callum Smith gave the hosts the perfect start with a brace of goals in the opening minutes.

They even had the luxury of 
a penalty miss when Colin Strickland fired his effort wide of target.

And Andy Shirra shut the door on any chance Stoneyburn had of clawing their way back into 
the game with a second-half strike.

Bonnyrigg Rose, meanwhile, enjoyed an impressive 6-0 thrashing of Edinburgh United. Paul Shields, who came on as a sub after half an hour, scored four with new signing Kris Renton grabbing the other two.

In a tight game at 
Newtown Park, Bo’ness beat recently-relegated Bathgate 2-1. James Donaldson and Chris Donnelly scored to put Bo’ness two up but a penalty from striker Lee Johnstone made it a nervy second half for he hosts.

In last night’s other group matches, Penicuik got their revenge the team who effectively stopped their promotion charge last season, when they won 2-1 at home to Blackburn.

Arniston Rangers held 
Newtongrange to a 1-1 draw. In a game of two penalties, Tadg Moriarty scored for Arniston, while Gary Cherrie was the goal-scorer for Star. At 
Olivebank, Musselburgh beat Tranent 3-1.

Dalkeith beat Dunbar 3-1 with the goals coming from a Jay Hunter double and Mattie Hunter.

There were a couple of 
surprise results, as Pumpherston won 3-1 away to Livingston while Whitburn lost at the hands of Harthill.

Sauchie, newly promoted to the Super League, showed 
their class in a 2-0 win at home to Premier League side 
Armadale.