William Hill Scottish Cup First Round

NAIRN COUNTY 1

BEITH JUNIORS 3

BEITH made light of their long journey up to the North East to see off their Highland League opponents with a thoroughly professional performance.

A healthy travelling support also made their way up to Station Park and saw their favourites make a positive start. Peter Haggarty wasn’t far away with a near post header from a Darren Christie delivery and soon after the winger put in an inviting corner-kick which was narrowly missed by Nicky Docherty.

Nicky Docherty was getting forward at any opportunity and he saw a netbound header touched over in a spell of concerted pressure. County goalie James Kendall continued to be busy and he made some decent stops to keep his side level.

The hosts were certainly not standing idly by, competing fiercely for every ball but Beith continued to create chances and Keir Milliken missed the best chance so far in 26 minutes heading over a fine Nicky Docherty cross in front of goal.

Beith survived County’s best opportunity with Max Ewan shooting wide when some sloppy defending afforded him the opportunity in the box. However it was the Ayrshire side who eventually benefited from their dominance through some individual brilliance from Darren Christie when he cut in off the wing, beat two defenders and sent a low shot past the goalie and into the bottom corner.

The visitors continued to dictate and Haggarty looked to have netted but his touch on a Keir Milliken cross somehow spun over the bar. The visitors were not to be denied though and they doubled their advantage in the last minute of the half when Conner McGlinchey found the net with a tremendous free-kick after Paul Frize was upended just outside the box.

Beith started the second half where they left off and Nicky Docherty was only inches away from adding another when his header from a Milliken cross smashed off the post. However it was the Highlanders who got themselves back into the contest with some assistance from the referee who awarded them them the softest of penalty’s when Ewan tumbled in the box. Captain Glenn Main duly scored from the spot.

The goal lifted the hosts and they battled hard to try to create a chance for an equaliser but it was Beith who went closest on the hour when Nicky Docherty’s shot went inches over following a goalmouth stramash.

County substitute Gussie Dey had a couple of sights at goal but shot past and another chance was snuffed out by a great Jamie Wilson tackle.

Time wore on with Beith on top but still holding only a slender lead.

Docherty continued to get forward, but it just wasn’t going to be his day, with the post keeping out another attempt from a tight angle.

He did however play his part for Christie to ensure Beith definitely went into the hat for the next round. Docherty’s ball into the box was cleared only as far as Christie and he smashed a low shot into the far corner.

This current Bellsdale side have a great spirit about them and deserve great credit for continuing to get the job done, despite ongoing personnel problems.

NAIRN COUNTY: Kendall; Porritt, K McKenzie, MacLean, Munro, Glenn Main, MacDonald, Ramsay, D McKenzie, Gregg Main, Ewan. Subs: Day, Ednie, MacLennan, McConaghy, Cuthbert, McLean, Wilkie.

BEITH: Grindlay; McGlinchey, R Docherty, MacDonald, Sheridan, Wilson, Christie, Frize, Haggarty, Milliken, N Docherty. Subs: Collins, McPherson, Middleton, Miller.