Tommy Coyne targets 300 Linlithgow goals after winning hat-trick

Tommy Coyne broke the 250-goal barrier for Linlithgow with a hat-trick at Maryhill. Pic: TSPL

Coyne was in lethal form as he bagged a treble to put the Glasgow club to the sword, claiming his third three-goal haul of the tournament this season. He is now firmly on track to be the top-scorer in this season’s competition and fully feels that his scoring exploits are far from over.

“It was good to get the goals and the result but we still have a lot to do,” said Coyne. “I’ve set myself a target of 30 goals per season since I came here eight seasons ago. I’ve managed that, but I’m not resting because why not go for 300. I believe I still have a few seasons left in me and I don’t want to go anywhere else. I love this club.”

This game finally went ahead at the home of St Anthony’s in Govan after three weeks of postponements. Maryhill had the better of the opening encounters until the 25th minute when Linlithgow took the lead. Blair Batchelor threaded a through-ball to Ross Gray and from 18 yards he slotted the ball past the keeper.

Five minutes later they doubled their lead when Coyne drove the ball past Jack Baker in the Maryhill goal.

Maryhill had to do something if they were to remain in this game and within a couple of minutes of the restart they pulled a goal back. Joe Buckley pounced on a loose ball to score from 20 yards and two minutes later they were level, Justin Begg netting from close range.

Linlithgow responded and with 15 minutes to go Coyne knocked a header from Colin Leiper over the line for his 250th goal for the club. He wasn’t finished though as Maryhill caved in with first Ewan Stokes then David Mathew being sent off in giving away penalty for handball. Coyne stepped up and scored his 251st.

Linlithgow boss Todd Lumsden had a warning for his team. “The result was all right but the way we gave away goals at the start of the second half was way too slack,” he said. “If we want to progress in the cup we’ll need to tighten up at the back.”

Maryhill: Baker, Buckley, McQueen, McLeod, Banks, Furam, Stokes, Mathew, Begg, McLelland, J Docherty. Subs: McKay, Clark, Maitland, A Docherty, Sinclair.

Linlithgow: Hill, Thom, Donaldson, Beaumont, McKenzie, Leiper, Gray, Batchelor, Coyne, Kelbie, Kelly. Subs: Small, McNab, Mushin, Swann, Barnard.