BEITH JUNIORS (Bellsdale Park)

SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st LEG, BEITH 3-0 KILWINNING RANGERS, ATTENDANCE: 1,451

I received a text message in the week asking if I would be interested in a trip to watch the Scottish Junior Cup Semi-Final tie between Beith and Kilwinning. Well it would have been very silly to refuse such a kind offer!


The North Ayrshire towns are just 9 miles apart so the cup tie had massive local interest, and a large crowd was expected, as Beith attempted to reach the Scottish Cup Final for the first time ever and Kilwinning for the first time since they won the competition in 1999.

Beith Football Club were originally formed in 1875 and were members of the Scottish Football League from 1923 to 1926. When the club folded, Beith Juniors were formed in 1938 as a junior successor to the senior side.

Bellsdale Park has been home to football in Beith since 1920, and this was the ground used during the years in the Scottish Football League.

The ground currently has three separate covered stands alongside either side of the pitch, with hard standing behind both goals and also a grass bank behind the goal at the top of the slope. Yes, that is one thing you notice about Bellsdale Park as soon as you see the pitch, there is a very pronounced slope. I am not sure though if it is a steep as Chard Town's, but it certainly isn't far off! 

Beith found themselves in the national spotlight in 2010 when, as the West of Scotland Premier Division League Champions, they entered the Scottish Cup at the first round stage. After defeating Linlithgow Rose (2-0) and Glasgow University (8-1) they faced Second Division Airdrie United, at the Excelsior Stadium, in the third round and, with 10 minutes to go in the tie, they led 2-0 before being pegged back. Beith lost the replay 4-3 at Bellsdale Park.

Back to today's cup exploits, and it was a cagey first 45 minutes but Kilwinning had the best of what chances there were, Ben Lewis guilty of missing an absolute sitter, when it was probably easier to score.

Kilwinning also started the second half brightly but it was Beith who took the lead when the ball was played into box and, after a scramble, the loose ball fell to Andy Reid (52) who smacked it home.

The Buffs were given a chance for an immediate response when they were awarded a penalty kick just two minutes later, but a tame effort from Lewis was easily saved by Stephen Grindley.  A pivotal moment in the tie.

A well worked move led to Beith's second goal. After an an exchange of passes, the ball was back-heeled into the path of Darren Christie (73) who smashed it home at the near post. Buffs goalkeeper Adam Strain got hands to the ball, but the shot was powerful enough to squirm over the line and into the net.

A corner kick in the 80th minute was powerfully headed home by John Sheridan to make it 3-0 and give 'The Mighty' one foot in the Scottish Cup Final for the first time in their history. The second leg will take place at Abbey Park, Kilwinning, next weekend.

Highlights can be found by clicking here