McBookie Super League Premier Division

BEITH JUNIORS 2

CLYDEBANK FC 0

THE Bellsdale Park crowd enjoyed a good contest on Saturday, with the hosts deservedly claiming the points built on a fine first half performance.

After an even opening, Beith but up some steady pressure down the slope and Nicky Docherty had a shot inside the box blocked and Andy Reid went close with a fine effort.

Clydebank were not going to just make up the numbers though and Grindlay had to be on his toes to turn a Steven Higgins shot round the post in 16 minutes. Play quickly returned to the other end however and n incisive pass from Darren Christie teed up Andy Reid in the box and his angled drive beat the keeper but the ball agonisingly hit the post and was scrambled clear.

Beith continued to have the bulk of the play but Bankies were also keen to get forward when they could with Jordan Shelvey proving a handful and he forced Stephen Grindlay to make a fine diving save when Beith switched off at a throw-in.

The hosts were sharp and playing some decent football and they eventually made the breakthrough on the half hour when Mark McLaughlin guided his header from a Burke corner-kick into the bottom corner of the net.

The pattern continued with Beith dominating and Bankies threatening on the break. The keepers continued to be in action with Grindlay turning a Higgins shot past the post and Bankies keeper Waters making a wonderful save to deny Thomas Collins who turned brilliantly and shot from the edge of the box after a typical Frize surging run opened up the defence.

The hosts were looking likely to increase their lead and Mark McLaughlin went close on two occasions from corners as Bankies defended doggedly. The visitors resistance was eventually breached five minutes from half-time when Paul Frize shot home from six yards to finish off a fine move involving Darren Christie and Collins.

Beith kept the tempo up after the restart and Nicky Docherty went close with a header from a Burke free-kick delivery. Bankies had been upset throughout by referee Hardie’s decisions and vociferous boss Kieran McAnespie was duly banished from the dugout for going too far.

Beith then had a chance to tie up the points when Darren Christie was upended as he drove into the box but Collins' poorly struck penalty kick was stopped by Bankies goalkeeper Marc Waters.

Waters was in action again soon after turning away a fine Andy Reid free-kick on the hour. Beith’s grip on the match gradually slipped and Clydebank began to see more of the ball. However the hosts defended well against a decent side with Grindlay confidently making another fine stop to deny sub Pearson. Beith sub Kenny McLean had late opportunities to score but he shot down the keepers throat following a great Ross McPherson pass and also headed over from a Christie cross.

Beith will hopefully take confidence from this performance for their remaining fixtures, particularly from the first half where they played some fine football reminiscent of their early season form.

BEITH: Grindlay; McGlinchey, N Docherty, MacDonald, McLaughlin, Wilson, Christie, Frize, Collins, Reid, Burke. Subs: McLean, Milliken, Martin, McPherson, Sheridan.

CLYDEBANK: Waters; Dooley, Patterson, Vega, Forsyth, Alexander, McClair, Deas, Shelvey, Higgins, Watt. Subs: Pearson, Lumsden, Carmichael, Cunningham, McLean.