McBookie Super League Premier Division

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 1

BEITH 1

LADESIDE will be disappointed at not taking all three points from this local derby as Beith finished the match with nine men after two red cards.

Kilbirnie started the brighter and both Reece Williamson and Jon Scullion shot wide from distance. James Finlay had a great chance to open the scoring when Arnault Bembo blocked a clearance which sent the striker through on goal but a heavy touch gave Stephen Grindlay the chance to block his shot on goal.

Beith took the lead from their first attack of the match after nine minutes when they were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out. With the Ladeside defence expecting Connor McGlinchey to shoot for goal he slipped a pass in behind the Kilbirnie wall to find Thomas Collins, who slipped the ball past Kieran Hughes and into the net.

Kilbirnie looked to hit back and Scullion fired in a free-kick from the left which went just wide and then Williamson curled a shot from the right edge of the box just wide.

Beith had a good chance to extend their lead when a short corner to Paul Frize saw him given too much room and he fired a shot in from 18 yards which came back off the bar. Ladeside pulled level in 31 minutes. They were awarded a penalty when Nicky Docherty was adjudged to have fouled Cory Hughes in the box from a Scullion corner. Finlay calmly despatched the resulting spot kick past Grindlay into the net.

Martin was then shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Scullion which forced the Ladeside player to be subbed at half-time. Just before the interval, Beith were reduced to 10 men when Docherty was given his second yellow card of the match after he caught Hughes with a late challenge.

Ladeside looked to make their advantage count in the second half but resolute Beith defending and a lack cutting edge saw them struggle to break down the Beith defence. Williamson had the first effort of the half but his shot went well over the bar then a John Sweeney free-kick into the box found the head of Mick O'Byrne but his effort was easily saved by Grindlay.

Darren Christie created the first opportunity of the half for Beith in 75 minutes, but his shot from distance was well held by Hughes. Beith were reduced to nine men for the last eight minutes when Frize picked up a second booking for a foul on Peter McGill shortly after being booked for a similar foul on Reon Juskowiak.

Sweeney fired the resulting free kick straight at Grindlay who made a comfortable save. Beith were almost handed a great chance a minute later when a Kevin MacDonald free- kick into the box was fumbled by Hughes but John Sheridan saw his effort deflected wide.

Kilbirnie then came close to a winning goal when a McGill cross from the right went beyond the far post for Tuohy but his volley came crashing off the bar with possibly a finger tip touch from Grindlay and Roberts then fired an effort from 18 yards wide.

The last chance fell to Beith from another set piece when Kevin MacDonald found the head of Sheridan in the box but his effort was straight at Hughes.

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

BEITH: Grindlay; McGlinchey, N Docherty, MacDonald, Sheridan, Martin, Christie, Frize,Collins, Milliken, Bradley. Subs: McKenna, McPherson, McLean, Burke, Cunningham.