Scottish Junior Cup Third Round

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 4

LANARK UNITED 1

LADESIDE eased into the last 32 of the Scottish Junior Cup with a 4-1 victory over Lanark United at Valefield.

The home side were dealt a blow in the opening minutes when they lost their captain Davy Anderson through injury after a poor challenge from the back by Lanark's Schoneville which went unpunished.

Kilbirnie had most of the first half possession but were finding it tough to break down a stuffy Lanark defensive rearguard. The first chance fell to Reece Williamson after a good cross by Hughes from the right but his looping header went narrowly over the bar.

Jon Scullion then forced a save from Mitchell in the Lanark goal from a free-kick which dipped over the wall. A well-worked corner saw Roberts find Scullion in space in the box but his effort was blocked before Scullion then became provider with a corner to the near post but Finlay headed just wide.

Midway through the half a good move between Kurtis Roberts and James Finlay set up Gavin Mitchell who cut inside but his curling effort from the edge of the box went just wide. Mitchell in the Lanark goal then made a good diving save to deny Williamson.

Ladeside finally made the breakthrough in 39 minutes when Michael Tuohy played a good ball into Finlay and he took an excellent touch to turn away from his defender before calmly slotting the ball beyond Mitchell into the far bottom corner. Scullion and John Sweeney had further chances just before half-time but both were denied by blocks.

Lanark had their first real chance just after the re-start and a good run on the right by Schoneville saw him cross into a dangerous area but Roberts got back to steer the ball out for a corner. Kearney then had an effort for Lanark saved by Joe Wilton before Scullion tested Mitchell at the other end with a 35-yard shot which the keeper pushed away.

Kilbirnie increased their lead shortly afterwards when they were awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal after a pull back on Mitchell by O'Donnell. Scullion fired the resultant kick over the wall and with Mitchell only able to parry his effort Finlay reacted quickest to pounce and fire the ball home.

Scullion then had a series of efforts on goal which were either blocked or Mitchell in the Lanark goal denied the Ladeside striker with a series of good saves.

Then in 75 minutes Scullion nearly increased their lead. A good move saw Roberts play the ball onto Scullion and his deft touch found Peter McGill on the right. When he cut the ball back inside to Scullion his effort came back off the outside of the post. Lanark then had a couple of efforts on the Ladeside goal when firstly Kearney went through after being fouled but his shot was saved by Wilton and when the referee pulled play back for the initial foul, Lawson fired the free-kick just over the bar.

Kilbirnie went 3-0 up in 80 minutes when McGill found Michael Tuohy on the left and his cross was met by substitute David Crerand eight yards out to fire the ball past Mitchell into the net. The same player then got Ladeside's fourth in bizarre fashion as he bundled his way through on goal but a heavy touch gave Lanark keeper Mitchell the chance to clear but he fired the ball off Crerand and it rebounded back past the keeper into the net.

Lanark scored a consolation goal with minutes remaining when a defensive error let Kearney in on goal and he smashed the ball past Wilton.

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE: Wilton; Mitchell, C Hughes, Sweeney. O'Byrne, Juskowiak. Roberts. Anderson, Finlay, Scullion, Williamson. Subs: Tuohy, McGill, Crerand, Bembo.

LANARK UNITED: Mitchell; Brophy, Stubbs, Edward, Lawson, Annetts, Kearney, Lindsay, McKenna, O'Donnell, Schoneville Subs : Fraser, Gallagher, McHugh, Noble, Gillespie.