Macron Scottish Junior Cup Second Round

KILWINNING RANGERS 3

BEITH 1

By Stewart McConnell

RESILIENT Buffs broke a six-game winless streak to send the Premier Division champions crashing out of the showpiece knockout event.

In windy conditions Chris Strain’s team had to swap their stylish passing game for a more direct approach and it worked to a “t”as they dismantled the Garnock Valley side.

It was one of their most impressive displays of the season and should boost their confidence no end.

Johnny Millar’s side began strongly, still on a high following their memorable William Hill Scottish Cup victory at Nairn County.

A shot from outside the box by Darren Christie was well saved by Adam Strain in 10 minutes.

John Sheridan sent a 10-yard volley just over the bar after latching on to a corner a minute later as Beith kept up the early pressure.

However there was a key moment in 12 minutes when Buffs were awarded a penalty following a handball in the box by John Sheridan. Garry Fleming stepped up to coolly net from the spot. A minute later a Carlo Monti drive from 12 yards was well saved by visiting goalie Calum McBain. However in 15 minutes Buffs brilliantly doubled their tally when Tommy Maitland turned brilliantly before netting from 12 yards.

Monti then went on a dazzling run before shooting just over the bar for Buffs from 16 yards in 21 minutes.

Buffs went close five minutes later when a David Syme header from a Craig Pettigrew cross was well saved by McBain.

Thomas Collins sent a precision pass to Christie inside the box in 40 minutes but Ewan McLevy cleared the danger for the home side.

Beith came close in 42 minutes when a Paul Frize free-kick from just outside the box was blocked by the Buffs defence.

Bryan Boylan came so close for Buffs in 50 minutes when his rasping 16-yard drive crashed off the crossbar.

Buffs were reduced to 10 men in 57 minutes when Boylan was given a second yellow card for a foul.

They re-organised with Garry Fleming being moved up front.

It looked like game over in 67 minutes as Fleming sent a superb pass to Carlo Monti who rolled the ball home from eight yards.

Beith veteran Sheridan shot wildly wide from six yards in 72 minutes.

The visitors were awarded a penalty in 77 minutes when a Ross McPherson cross was handled in the box by Sam McCloskey and Conner McGlinchey netted from the spot.

KILWINNING RANGERS: Strain; McLevy, McCluskey, Pettigrew, Syme, Maitland, Monti, Fleming, Boylan, Lewis, McGuinness. Subs: Whyte, Curragh, Nisbet, McKenzie.

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