Portobello put eight past Currie Star in the space of 29 minutes as they turned on the second half style and romped to victory at Meggetland. 

In what was to be a closely contested cup tie on paper, the first half was lacking a great deal of quality, and there wasn’t much between the sides. However Portobello came out after the break and showed a desire, and an energy level that Currie Star couldn’t match - and in fact they were blown away.

The away side, who have scored more than seven goals in each round of the competition, set up an intriguing tie at Salvesen, who sit fifth in the league - with a place in the South East Region Cup final up for grabs.

The only goal of the first period came just two minutes in. Josh Crolla was the architect, a common theme, as he worked a yard and fired a dangerous low ball to the back post, where Taylor Hamill was on hand to tap in from close range.

From that point onwards however, there wasn’t an awful lot to shout about, as the sides fought for scraps in a toughly contested midfield battle. Chances came few and far between; making it crucial that when they came about - the finishing was ruthless.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case as the only other meaningful chance of the half fell to the goalscorer Hamill, following some neat footwork from Declan Bryne. The wide man, from about eight yards, was leaning back as he fired over the crossbar. Luckily it wouldn’t have too much of an impact on the final outcome.

Something that may well have had an impact on proceedings were the conditions. Just a few degrees above freezing and not helped by the fact the rain began to lash down - the game moved into the second half with just the one goal in it.

Just like the first period, with away side started off the half emphatically. It did take them eight minutes rather than just two but it released plenty of tension in the air nonetheless as striker Alfie Smith guided home Owen Hastie’s pull back.

From that point onwards, it was like a different game. Crolla was once again involved a couple of minutes later as Dylan Monteith eventually lashed the ball over the line following a scramble.

The visitors must have felt like they were out of site, even just ten minutes into the second half - but Currie Star weren’t to go down without a fight as Reece Forbes was brought down for a penalty. Shane Majekodunmi was the man to step up, and he dispatched it confidently into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance, and more importantly giving his side a lifeline.

That hope was somewhat short-lived, as Smith popped up inside the area to add his second of the game, and Portobello’s fourth, with a tidy finish on his weaker left side. 

Four goals in five minutes meant that once again, Currie had it all to do. Max MacKay had a good chance to cut the deficit to 4-2, but he lost his balance in the motion of shooting, and his effort going well off target.

They survived a few minutes longer, but the fifth was a real hammer blow. Hamill weaved his way into the area from the right wing, before picking out Hastie, who arrived late to fire beyond Danny Hyslop.

It was a solo effort from Smith for the sixth, and a brilliant one at that. He was 20 yards from goal when he created half a yard and let fly, the ball arrowing across goal and into the far left corner to complete a well deserved hat-trick.

Robbie Peffers was at the heart of the next as Smith added another, before Harris Reynolds knocked in the rebound from Hamill’s blocked effort five minutes later.

The final action came as Sam Meaney was brought down for a penalty a few minutes from time. Unsurprisingly, Smith stepped up and cooly sent Hyslop the wrong way to round of what is a big statement for Portobello - who move into the last four of the South East Region Cup.