McBookie Premiership

HURLFORD UNITED 0

BEITH JUNIORS 0

FEW would argue that a point apiece was a fair outcome at the end of a closely fought contest at Blair Park that, despite plenty of effort and endeavour, had goalmouth action pretty much in short supply throughout.

The first half saw the visitors have slightly the better of things early doors with Keir Milliken showing nice control before his on-target shot was blocked. The only other notable efforts came from Darren Christie and Stephen Noble but their shots were comfortably dealt with by Brown.

Yellow cards were shared by Ford midfielder Barron for cynically pulling back Paul Frize and Beith skipper John Sheridan for a foul on Caddis as he broke forward. However the hosts finished the half the better having some decent possession with Beith keeper Stephen Grindlay having to be on his toes to stop efforts from Ross Robertson and Paul McKenzie.

The hosts probably edged the opening period of the second half without ever testing Stephen Grindlay but Ross Robertson and Hodge had their names noted by ref Graham for poor challenges as the sides battled to get their noses in front.

Halfway through, Beith seemed to have created a decent chance but Thomas Collins couldn’t get a touch to a ball headed into the danger are by Kevin Green. At the other end, Grindlay turned away a blistering 25-yard shot from Caddis that came straight at him.

Both sides made changes as time wore on but both keepers continued to have little to do with McKenzie missing the target for Ford and Frize doing likewise for the visitors. Effort was not lacking from either side and Beith shaded the closing stages with veteran striker Kenny McLean looking lively. The visitors looked to have broken the deadlock in the very last minute but with Keir Milliken seeming to have a tap in in front of goal, Darren Christie’s cut back to take a wicked bobble, to embarrass the striker who failed to make any contact.

As the score suggests defenders were well to the fore on the day with both sides centre-back pairings missing very little at all, resulting in forwards hardly getting a sniff.

HURLFORD UNITED: Brown; Hodge, McKillen, Fisher, C Robertson, Barron, McKenzie, L Caddis, Riley, R Robertson, Watt. Subs: Baird, R Caddis, Whittaker, Lidington, Watters.

BEITH: Grindlay; N Docherty, Noble, Green, Sheridan, Wilson, Christie, Frize, Collins, Milliken. Subs: Bradley, McLean, McGlinchey, R Docherty, Miller (gk).

Meanwhile Beith on Monday hammered Irvine Vics 9-1 in a friendly. Thomas Collins bagged five goals, Conner McGlinchey netted wide and Nicky Docherty and Trialist were also on target.