Petershill supporters have seen their fair share of false dawns down through the years, but it's hard to think this season will bring another judging by the manner of their 6-0 victory over Maryhill on Saturday.

Indeed, it would be the biggest understatement since Noah said it’s looking like rain to say the Peasy had the better of things in this Super First Division opener between two of Glasgow’s famous old Junior clubs .

Willie Patterson’s starting line-up, containing eight close season signings, were utterly merciless in putting their city rivals to the sword.

And nobody wielded the blade more than wide midfielder Alex Cassells, who helped himself to a hat-trick in serving up an altogether outstanding display.

Not far behind the ex-Rossvale Juniors ace in any man-of-the-match reckoning would be former Johnstone Burgh front man Jason Hardie whose movement and willingness to challenge for every ball marked him out as a constant thorn in the flesh of Maryhill’s backline.

A delighted Patterson said: "We started a bit nervously, but scoring two early goals settled us down no end and our passing and pace in the final third of the pitch was very pleasing to the eye.

“I have to be happy with scoring six goals, but it’s every bit as encouraging to see the guys at the back rack up a clean sheet as we have been guilty of leaking bad goals of late.

“And nobody set a better example in this respect than our goalkeeper Mikey White whose handling was first class, particularly in plucking balls out of the air whenever Maryhill threatened.”

A tentative opening spell was ended by Petershill netting twice in a five-minute spell commencing with a high looping Chris Wilson cross from wide left being met by Cassells whose firm header found the net.

And in the 14th minute a lucky break of the ball then allowed Luke Crerand to race clear of Maryhill’s defence and lash a left-footed shot beyond keeper Jack Baker for a 2-0 scoreline that somehow stayed the same until the interval despite the home team’s territorial superiority.

Maryhill's hopes of seizing the initiative on the restart lasted all of five minutes before Cassells got ahead of his marker to head home a wonderfully driven Connor Stevenson free kick.

And not to be undone, Crerand also chalked up a brace of goals by drilling home a low shot just minutes later to all but wrap up the points at 4-0 .

Things then got worse for the visitors when substitute Jamie Docherty was red-carded for foul and abusive language after he had a goal disallowed for straying offside.

That the visiting goal remained intact for the next 35 minutes owed much to Petershill taking their foot of the gas in tandem with some resolute Maryhill defending most notably a string of saves from Baker.

However, the big Scouser was to be lifting the ball out of his net twice more in the game’s closing stages.

In 83 minutes Cassells' determination saw him touch home an exquisite ball across goal from Hardie whose afternoon of hard graft received a scoring reward in the final minute when he converted from close range following a terrific run and cross from substitute Stephen McGladrigan.

Disappointed Maryhill gaffer Jim Delaney said: "I always felt the Super First Division was going to be a massive step for us and today has only reinforced my thoughts.

“Petershill won too comfortably for my liking and had the game’s outstanding player in Cassells, but I’d like to think my players cannot perform as badly again .

“We’ll go away and lick our wounds and chat with the guys over lessons to be learned however uppermost in our minds is the need to pick ourselves up and be ready to go again when Kilsyth Rangers come to Lochburn Park next weekend.”

Petershill were one of a quartet of Super First outfits to make winning starts along with Clydebank, Rutherglen Glencairn and Girvan.

The Bankies came out on top 2-1 away to Irvine Meadow thanks to Jamie Lyden and Mark Burbridge counters either side of a Ben Carson(pen) equaliser for Medda while Girvan took the honours against Shotts Bon Accord thanks to a deserved 3-1 triumph earned by Tony Murphy(2) and Robert Patterson scores.

In-form hitman Fraser Team was the man who mattered in Rutherglen Glencairn’s 3-1 defeat of Renfrew at the Celsius Stadium after he netted all his side’s goals with Lee Cochrane netting a consolation goal for the visiting Frew.

A share of the spoils ensued in the three remaining contests with Shettleston left kicking themselves at Duncansfield after ceding up a winning position against Kilsyth Rangers in the closing stages.

Corey Pearson’s opener for Kilsyth was cancelled out by a Peter Weatherson strike for the visitors and the co-player/manager added another from the penalty spot that looked to have secured a three points haul for the Town until winger Nikky Prentice levelled matters for Keith Hogg’s men .

Graeme Longair’s late strike clinched a 2-2 draw for Irvine Vics away to Yoker Athletic while Blantyre Vics and Cumbernauld United played out a high scoring 3-3 stalemate at Castle Park.

WEEKEND RESULTS: McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Glenafton 1 Pollok 0, Beith 2 Cumnock 0, Hurlford Utd 2 Kilwinning Rangers 0, Rob Roy 3 Largs Thistle 2, Troon 3 Kilbirnie Ladeside 1, Arthurlie 0 Auchinleck Talbot 4.

McBookie.com Super First Division. Blantyre Vics 3 Cumbernauld Utd 3, Irvine Meadow 1 Clydebank 2, Shotts Bon Accord 1 Girvan 3, Yoker Athletic 2 Irvine Vics 2, Kilsyth Rangers 2 Shettleston 2, Petershill 6 Maryhill 0, Rutherglen Glencairn 3 Renfrew 1.

McBookie.com Central First Division. Thorniewood Utd 1 Larkhall Thistle 2, Lesmahagow 2 Cambuslang Rangers 3 , Neilston 3 Forth 1, Bellshill Athletic 2 Rossvale 3, Greenock 1 Wishaw 0, Johnstone Burgh 3 Benburb 1, St Rochs 4 Vale of Clyde 0.

McBookie.com Central Second Division. Royal Albert 1 Port Glasgow 4, Ashfield 1 East Kilbride Thistle 1, St Anthonys 2 Gartcairn 0, Dunipace 2 Vale of Leven 2, Lanark Utd 4 Newmains Utd 1, Carluke Rovers 4 Glasgow Perthshire 2.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Darvel 1 Whitletts Vics 6, Lugar Boswell 0 Ardeer Thistle 7, Annbank Utd 3 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 4, Craigmark 5 Saltcoats Vics 3, Dalry Thistle 4 Kello Rovers 5, Maybole 3 Muirkirk 2.