McBookie Super League Premier Division

KIRKINTILLOCH ROB ROY 1

BEITH JUNIORS 6

WEDNESDAY's encounter at Cumbernauld will not be remembered for its scintillating soccer but rather for its bizarre first half that saw the hosts reduced to nine men from the ordering off of two goalkeepers and the visitors really coasting to victory thereafter.

With the wind advantage Beith had much the better of the opening exchanges but they struggled to sustain any real pressure. However the first game-changing incident happened in 29 minutes when Rabs' second string keeper McKinven, despite having the ball in his possession, crazily had a pop at Tommy Martin and was duly red-carded by the referee, who was only yards away. Replacement but usual first choice keeper McNeil’s first touch was to retrieve the ball from net following Connor McGlinchey’s well-taken spot kick.

The new incumbent lasted only seven minutes before he also saw red for clattering into Thomas Collins outside his box as he burst through clear, the referee deeming that he had made no attempt to play the ball in a last=man challenge. Richie Burke fully exploited the situation by curling the resultant free-kick into the top corner,

Injured Beith midfielder Martin and Roy defender Boyle were replaced at half-time and Beith quickly added a third from another well despatched McGlinchey penalty after Collins was knocked over in the box by goalkeeper number three.

Richie Burke and Andy Reid were then to the fore and the former arrived in the box to finish off a nice move.

The hosts were not to be totally outdone and pulled a goal back from the spot on the hour after Kevin MacDonald had made a rash challenge in the box.

Rabs then conceded another two goals. Nicky Docherty found the net with a good right foot shot and in the last minute Andy Reid turned smartly and shot under the body of the diving goalie.