BEITH recovered from their defeat by Hurlford on the Monday night in their last league game to keep their cup interest alive on Wednesday with a comfortable win over neighbours Dalry.

The home side were able to field a stronger side and after a slow start they kept up the pressure into the second half to overcome Dalry’s spirited first half resistance.

The visitors had the first shot at goal after 4 minutes with a decent effort from Fraser Campbell that Strain watched cautiously as it just cleared the bar. Beith gradually took control with Christie and Frize making direct runs forward opening up the Dalry defence. Keeper Hewitt was busy, but up to the task, making good stops from Reid, Docherty and Christie. Beith had the ball in the net in the 24th minute but a strange flag from the assistant saw it ruled out. Dalry were just holding out now and struggling to get out of their own half and their resistance finally broke in the 37th minute when defender David Tolland could only help a driven Docherty cross past his own keeper. Beith kept up the pressure and Andy Reid increased their lead from the penalty spot after Tolland had pulled back Darren Christie as he sped past him into the box.

Dalry showed some further defiance at start of the second half and Strain had to get down smartly to turn a Mark Archdeacon shot past the post before play again swung towards keeper Hewitt.

Before long Beith effectively killed the contest with a third goal when a quick move involving just on sub Kenny McLean and Darren Christie found Nicky Docherty at the back post to shoot home. Dalry created few chances over the match and couldn’t take advantage when a decent one came Tennant’s way when he delayed his shot when through on Strain allowing the keeper to block his effort.

By contrast Beith were deadly at the other end and Kenny McLean fired in the pick of the bunch firing a brilliant free kick from around 23 yards into the top corner giving Hewitt no chance. Dalry were now seriously struggling to stem the tide and sub McKenna headed a Docherty cross home in 75 minutes. Number six followed a few minutes later when Paul Frize tricked his way through the defence and finished into the bottom corner. Hewitt made fine stops to deny McLean and Donnelly before Stephen McKeown scored a rare goal to make it seven finishing off a fine move involving some sharp passes in the last minute.BE BEITH: Strain; McKeown, Wilson, K MacDonald, Donnelly, Kerr, S MacDonald, Frize, Reid, Christie, Docherty. Subs: McKenna, McLean, Sheridan.

DALRY THISTLE: Hewitt; Halliday, Walsh, Tolland, Hercus, Jas Boyle, Jam Boyle, Campbell, Archdeacon, Tennant, Friel. Subs: Stevenson, Lockhart, Hood, Loughlin, Crerand.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.

BEITH recovered from their defeat by Hurlford on the Monday night in their last league game to keep their cup interest alive on Wednesday with a comfortable win over neighbours Dalry.

The home side were able to field a stronger side and after a slow start they kept up the pressure into the second half to overcome Dalry’s spirited first half resistance.

The visitors had the first shot at goal after 4 minutes with a decent effort from Fraser Campbell that Strain watched cautiously as it just cleared the bar. Beith gradually took control with Christie and Frize making direct runs forward opening up the Dalry defence. Keeper Hewitt was busy, but up to the task, making good stops from Reid, Docherty and Christie. Beith had the ball in the net in the 24th minute but a strange flag from the assistant saw it ruled out. Dalry were just holding out now and struggling to get out of their own half and their resistance finally broke in the 37th minute when defender David Tolland could only help a driven Docherty cross past his own keeper. Beith kept up the pressure and Andy Reid increased their lead from the penalty spot after Tolland had pulled back Darren Christie as he sped past him into the box.

Dalry showed some further defiance at start of the second half and Strain had to get down smartly to turn a Mark Archdeacon shot past the post before play again swung towards keeper Hewitt.

Before long Beith effectively killed the contest with a third goal when a quick move involving just on sub Kenny McLean and Darren Christie found Nicky Docherty at the back post to shoot home. Dalry created few chances over the match and couldn’t take advantage when a decent one came Tennant’s way when he delayed his shot when through on Strain allowing the keeper to block his effort.

By contrast Beith were deadly at the other end and Kenny McLean fired in the pick of the bunch firing a brilliant free kick from around 23 yards into the top corner giving Hewitt no chance. Dalry were now seriously struggling to stem the tide and sub McKenna headed a Docherty cross home in 75 minutes. Number six followed a few minutes later when Paul Frize tricked his way through the defence and finished into the bottom corner. Hewitt made fine stops to deny McLean and Donnelly before Stephen McKeown scored a rare goal to make it seven finishing off a fine move involving some sharp passes in the last minute.BE BEITH: Strain; McKeown, Wilson, K MacDonald, Donnelly, Kerr, S MacDonald, Frize, Reid, Christie, Docherty. Subs: McKenna, McLean, Sheridan.

DALRY THISTLE: Hewitt; Halliday, Walsh, Tolland, Hercus, Jas Boyle, Jam Boyle, Campbell, Archdeacon, Tennant, Friel. Subs: Stevenson, Lockhart, Hood, Loughlin, Crerand.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.