RHU Amateurs reached the last 32 of the Scottish Amateur Cup after a 6-3 win over Easterhouse FA in a classic game in front of a huge crowd at Ardenconnel on Saturday.

Jamie Paterson and Shaun Wallace each netted twice in the second half as the club’s Caledonian League team secured a fifth round tie away to Greig Park Rangers next month.

Despite a lay-off of more than a month since their last game – the third round win over Ratho which earned them a place in the last 64 – Rhu flew out of the traps, with Drew McCann smashing the ball home after a goalmouth scramble to give Gordon Brodie’s men the early advantage.

But Easterhouse, who play in the Saturday Morning AFA, were in no mood to lie down, and the visitors’ number nine levelled the tie from the penalty spot after some slack Rhu defending.

Most of the first half was a story of Easterhouse pressure, and the prolific Easterhouse striker slotted past Craig Gemmell in the home goal to give the visitors the lead.

And it should have been a lot more comfortable for the away team as Rhu, perhaps beginning to feel the effects of those four Saturdays without a game, struggled to get back into the match; but for a mixture of bad Easterhouse finishing and some great goalkeeping from Gemmell, the game could have been over as a contest in the first 45 minutes.

If there’s one thing Rhu have demonstrated in spades this season, though, it’s their willingness to dig deep and find a way back into games – and they showed their battling qualities once again to level the match at 2-2 just before the break when the ball found the net off an Easterhouse defender after another goalmouth scramble.

The Rhu management team delivered a stern half-time team talk and tweaked a few tactics – and Rhu took control of the tie almost immediately after the restart.

A quick-fire double from top goalscorer Paterson turned the tie on its head – the first a deflected shot and the second a screamer from distance – and as Rhu seized control of the game and began to play the kind of football this team is more accustomed to, the hosts put the game totally out of reach when the impressive Wallace grabbed a brace of his own to make it 6-2.

The game wasn’t over, though, and after some questionable Rhu defending, Easterhouse’s number nine secured his hat-trick to reduce the arrears – and even had the chance to make it ‘squeaky bum time’ for Rhu in the last few minutes, only to blast a late spot-kick over the bar.

Speaking after the match, Brodie said: “This was our first game since December 9, and it showed at times, but the boys stuck together for the full 90 minutes and once again showed what this team is all about.

“It was a great overall team performance and we’ve got a trip to Fife on February 3 to look forward to as we travel to meet Kingdom of Fife Premier League leaders Grieg Park Rangers in the last 32.

“The players, committee and management would like to thank everyone that came along on Saturday. Great to see you all at Ardenconnel.”

Bus details for next month’s tie will be confirmed closer to the time.

Before then, it’s back to league business for Rhu this Saturday, January 20, and a First Division clash at home to Glasgow University. Kick-off at Ardenconnel Park is at 2pm.

Meanwhile, Rhu Colts return to Glasgow Colleges FA action on January 20 at home to Glasgow Medics, with a 10am kick-off.

Brodie added: “Off the park, the club is delighted to welcome Colin ‘Fruit’ Cameron back to the club and also to welcome Craig Stratton back into the management team.

“Craig will work alongside Gordon Alan and Paul as we look to take this club to the next level with a very talented group of players. Welcome back lads.”