Beith blast five past Glens

BEITH 5

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 0

BEITH applauded last season's all-conquering Glens side onto the Bellsdale pitch on Saturday and then proceeded to take them to the cleaners, producing a result that in no way flattered the hosts.

Beith opened positively playing down the slope with Ross McPherson looking sharp up front and he fired his side ahead in four minutes. A slick move down the right started by new signing Ryan Docherty ended with Ross "Archie" McPherson pivoting in the box to sweep home a fine Darren Christie cross.

Glens had a wee flurry, forcing John Sheridan to make two good blocks in the penalty box before Beith burst back into attack with Kier Milliken prominent and he cleverly sent Paul Frize through to get a good shot on target that keeper Brian McGarrity turned behind for a corner. However Beith kept pressing and doubled their lead a few minutes later when McPherson reacted quickest to head home a David McGowan free-kick delivery into a crowded box with the Glens defence flat-footed.

A response from Glens failed to materialise and scant resistance allowed Beith to continue to dominate, Milliken and McLaughlin going close with good efforts. It was no real surprise when a third goal was added on the half hour with Kier Milliken clinically despatching another inviting McGowan free-kick into the box.

Glens' nightmare was wasn't about to end and the hosts bagged another goal when Mark McLaughlin headed home another telling Christie cross.

The visitors were surely out to try to salvage some pride after the break and Beith stopper Mark McLaughlin was forced to make a perfectly timed challenge in the box to deny Michael McCann a shot in the opening minute.

Beith replaced a limping Christie with Joe Bradley but little changed with Beith pretty much in control. Glens were trying hard but it clearly wasn't their day when slack defending for once by the hosts allowed Chris Dallas through on goal but he shot well wide with only the keeper to beat.

Over-fussy referee Mr Doherty booked Glens midfielder McKernon for a foul on Bradley as he opened up the Glens defence on the hour and McPherson eagerly stepped up to claim his hat trick smashing the free kick into the top corner.

Subs were made all round with the outcome well and truly sealed and Beith rightly withdrew the ever energetic Paul Frize as he sat on a booking. Shortly after the hosts made their last change sub Joe Bradley limped out of the contest leaving Beith to play out the last 15 minutes a man short.

Not surprisingly the pace gradually dropped but Glens also found themselves down to 10 men for the closing minutes when the referee showed a second yellow card to defender Kyle McAusland for pulling down David McKenna as he burst through. Glens subs Moore and Marlow had opportunities in decent positions in the dying minutes but they both failed to trouble Grindlay who hardly had a save to make all day.

This was a fine display from Beith who played some lovely football and hit Glens right from the off, never allowing them into the game.

The champions clearly had a bad day at the office and will be determined to bounce back.

Beith had no failures but new boy Ryan Docherty deserves special mention for slotting into injured right back Conor McGlinchey's position and looks a versatile addition to Beith's squad.

BEITH: Grindlay; R Docherty, N Docherty, McLaughlin, Sheridan, Wilson, Christie, Frize, McPherson, Milliken, McGowan. Subs: McKenna, Bradley, Collins, Martin, MacDonald.