Honours even at Bellsdale Park

BEITH JUNIORS 2

KIRKINTILLOCH ROB ROY 2

THIS result will stick in Beith's throat for a long while, losing a victory they thoroughly deserved in controversial circumstances right at the death.

Bellsdale Park was in great condition given the abysmal weather but the wind caused problems throughout. The hosts had the advantage in the first half playing up the slope but the visitors carved out the first chance when Calum Watt sped into the box and forced Grindlay to make a fine block.

Beith gradually gained control and Kenny McLean missed a sitter in 10 minutes when he lost the flight of a Darren Christie cross.

The home side continued to search for the opener playing some great football but their normally deadly strikers contrived to miss a catalogue of gilt edged chances. Kenny McLean missed the target with a header from a Reid cross. A Paul Frize head on put Andy Reid through on keeper Brown but he dallied slightly, allowing the goalie time to get close enough to him to block his shot. A fine move then saw a Christie cross dummied by McLean for Andy Reid to shoot only for his effort to be deflected right into the keeper's hands.

Beith continued to drive forward but the strikers also continued to scorn opportunities. Reid had a fresh air shot in the box from another Christie centre before he had a strong penalty claim turned down when he looked to have been caught by the keeper as he tried to round him. Kenny McLean was next to miss when he beat the offside trap and sped th

The home side finished the half well on top but passed up more chances, with Richie Burke having a shot deflected over and McLean shooting just wide.

Fans were preparing for the tables to turn, with Rob Roy having the wind at their backs after the interval but Beith opened well and looked to have got a break five minutes in. Tthey were awarded a penalty when Upton unluckily handled a Burke pass just inside the box. However Andy Reid hit his spot kick at the right height for in form keeper Jordan Brown to make another fine save.

After all that it was the visitors who struck first when e-x-Irvine Meadow man Willie Sawyers, in what looked a clear offside position, found space in the box to tuck a shot past Grindlay.

Beith continued to do well against the elements but again found Brown in top form as he pulled off another magnificent save to touch a netbound Christie shot onto the bar and over.

Beith drew level in 70 minutes when Paul Frize picked out Reid with a great pass and his shot found the net with the aid of a slight deflection.

The hosts now tried to push on for a win but Rabs defend resolutely and have luck on their side. A goalmouth siege saw three goalbound shots blocked by desperate defending, one which hit grounded keeper Brown on the back.

Beith looked to have got their reward when they went ahead with eight minutes remaining when substitute Thomas Collins arrived in the box to fire home a driven Christie cross.

Rob Roy had nothing to lose threw men forward at any opportunity.

Hearts were in Beith mouths when a cross to the back post found substitute McGuire but he couldn't get any power into his diving header. With the 90 minutes up the visitors won a corner and with everyone in the box and Beith looked to have cleared the danger as Collins went to thump the ball upfield he was flattened by a reckless challenge but as everybody in the ground awaited a free-kick, referee Calum Scott unbelievably gave nothing and the ball found its way to Barr who gratefully tucked the ball away.

Both sides deserve credit for producing great entertainment for the spectators in difficult conditions.

Beith played some fine football with right back Ian Fisher making an impressive debut and Paul Frize producing one of his best performances.

However this will feel like a defeat under the circumstances.

BEITH: Grindlay, Fisher, Docherty, MacDonald, McArthur, Martin, Christie, Frize, McLean, Reid, Burke. Subs: Collins, Wilson, McGowan, Clark, Duncan.