New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup Second Round

BEITH JUNIORS 5

NEILSTON JUNIORS 1

THE hosts rightly claimed their place in the last 16 of the West Cup but most will probably agree that the scoreline somewhat flattered the victors, who had to seriously up their game after Neilston levelled just after the interval.

Beith couldn’t have asked for a better start, taking the lead after only 10 minutes when Thomas Collins pounced to shoot home close in after a great free-kick by Connor McGlinchey smacked off the crossbar.

Beith had the majority of possession, playing down the slope but the young Neilston side stuck to their task and forwards Fletcher and Curran scorned decent chances in the box, both shooting down goalkeeper Stephen Grindlay’s throat. Experienced striker Paul Stewart also scorned a couple of opportunities in the box with the home defence looking vulnerable.

The hosts also created, and missed good chances of their own, with Ryan Docherty, Collins and Keir Milliken the culprits before the half finished with the Bellsdale side holding a narrow lead.

The visitors put the cat amongst the pigeons as they had threatened to do five minutes after the restart, when Stewart ran through onto a simple launch down field from goalie Robert Tiropoulos to shoot past Grindlay.

A response to a flat performance from the hosts was badly needed but off-form Milliken missed a proverbial ‘sitter’ when he headed a Nicky Docherty cross wide with the goal gaping. It was veteran defender Mark McLaughlin who steadied the ship to put Beith back in front when he powerfully headed home a Darren Christie corner-kick.

Kenny McLean then replaced Milliken and his presence immediately made an impact. Neilston struggled to cope with Beith’s snappier tempo and they duly increased their lead in 65 minutes when Nicky Docherty headed home a tempting Richie Burke free-kick.

The hosts kept the pressure on with some crisper passing and Collins arrived perfectly at the back post to poke another dangerous Burke delivery over the line.

Neilston battled away and Grindlay produced a good save to turn away a Fletcher shot after good work in the box by Stewart.

However action returned to the other end and ex-Beith keeper Tiropoulos was forced to bundle over Collins in the last minute as he latched onto a defence-splitting pass from substitute Ross "Archie" McPherson. Collins promptly grabbed the opportunity to bag his hat-trick, making no mistake from the spot.

Beith: Grindlay, McGlinchey, N Docherty, R Docherty, McLaughlin, Wilson, Christie, Frize, Collins, Milliken, Burke. Subs: McPherson, McLean, Martin, McGowan, Digney.

Neilston: Tiropoulos, Docherty, Payne, Clark, Young, McBryde, Frizzell, Dick, Fletcher, Stewart, Curren. Subs: Milne, Lovering, Mitchell, McKinlay, Kelly.

NEw