Teams seeking to ease their relegation fears can often suffer defeats which define the near hopelessness of their struggles…so hard not to believe Petershill’s 7-1 battering by Beith on Saturday was one of them.
The record books in years to come will show the margin of victory was six goals yet it’s not any exaggeration to say the difference between the sides was far greater than that.
Putting it simply, Beith were good value for this emphatic outcome over opponents whose appetite for this Bellsdale fray, played in quite horrendous overhead conditions, appeared no more than token at best in the face of an aggressive and hardworking home side for whom Carlo Monti was at his inspirational best.
The signs were ominous for the Peasy as early as the third minute when the former Kilwinning Rangers and Pollok star turn weaved his way past a couple of defenders to send a well struck shot goalwards which ever alert team mate Josh Fowler touched home for 1-0 .
And such was the Beith hold duly exerted on the opening exchanges that even the most diehard and soaked of Springburn followers could not begrudge them a second goal with just nine minutes on the clock when another of the Ayrshiremen’s lively forwards , Andy Monk, worked himself into space 15 yards out from where he despatched a low drive beyond the reach of goalkeeper Steven McNeil.
Monti’s man of the match display had him modestly revealing afterwards,
” Our ability as a front threesome in terms of playing at the top Premier Division level is not in question but today we needed to show ourselves capable of turning up in the horrid conditions and performing to a decent standard .
“That we clearly did but having the right mindset and high work ethic are only some of the qualities needed if up and coming youngsters like Josh and Andy are to kick on and make names for themselves in the game.
“They know and the gaffer Chris knows there is still plenty of room for improvement and if I can use my experience and knowledge to set the right example for them then so much the better.”
The 32 year old ace weighed in with Beith’s fifth and then final scores of the afternoon, making it 5-0 and then 7-0 with near carbon copy trademark strikes when cutting across from the right flank and leaving defenders in his wake prior to unerringly finding the corner of the net with left foot shots.
In between times, Ruairdh Langan had been handily placed to net his team’s sixth goal from point blank range (65 mins) while earlier on, Fowler had netted another opportunist effort (22 mins) after superb leading up play from Langan before the willing Monk ran onto a through ball and rounded McNeil to bag his second goal of the afternoon (32 mins) in bringing first half proceedings to an end with Beith 4-0 to the good.
Somewhat ironic that the last word in this high scoring and one-sided affair was a penalty kick conversion from visiting midfielder Jordan Scott who had struck the top of the crossbar with a searing 25 yards hit at the start of the second period.
Petershill boss Ian Currie emerged from a solemn dressing room to insist,
” Jordan deserved his goal as he never gave up the ghost throughout and was still showing his determination as late as the 91st minute by wresting the ball away from Christian Nade to take our spot kick award.
“Unfortunately not all of our guys displayed the same commitment and attitude but rather than dish out a tongue lashing when the heads are down , I’ve asked each and every one of them to go home and honestly assess what they have given to the team today…I’ll hear what they say and give my views on Monday night.”
This most convincing of victories had Mighty gaffer Chris Strain beaming when he appeared.
“All in all a very pleasing day but no more than that “cautioned Strainy.
“ Talk of us as title contenders is not what I want to hear because first and foremost our focus has to be on nothing more than week to week performances and today was a good one where all credit is due to the players.
“In such awful conditions, our attitude was outstanding and I was also delighted with our ruthless streak in the early stages which all but blew Petershill away.
“We were moving the ball so quickly that their players couldn’t get close to us and this energetic approach helped to build an unassailable lead which put the game to bed.”
BEITH BOSS HAD PLENTY TO SMILE ABOUT
Beith’s success ensured they remained five points behind league leaders Darvel who recovered from falling behind to a Thomas Collins strike to run out 6-3 winners away to Kilwinning Rangers on Friday night thanks to a Craig Truesdale hat trick along with scores by Ian McShane, Alan McKenzie and Jordan Kirkpatrick.
There were also wins for the other recognized title contenders , Darren Christie and Chris Duff netting in Pollok’s 2-0 defeat of Glenafton while Auchinleck Talbot had Chris Stafford, Ross Taylor and Keir Samson to thank for a 3-1 besting of Cambuslang Rangers for whom Jay Nelson had provided a 1-0 advantage.
Elsewhere , Cumnock and Hurlford United played out a 0-0 stalemate but there was no shortage of goals at Holm Park where Larry McMahon,Alan Kelly and Ciaran Mulcahy efforts enabled Clydebank to come out on top ,3-1against Troon for whom Sam Jamieson’s late header put a better complexion on the scoreline.
Meanwhile, the race to become part of the top flight elite took an interesting twist when First Division frontrunners St Cadocs unexpectedly succumbed to only their second league reverse of the season in going down 2-1 at home to mid-table Bonnyton Thistle.
Taylor Allan and Craig Patterson counters were responsible for inflicting this defeat on John Doyle’s men that also enabled rivals Gartcairn to move level on the same 27 points mark at the top of the table with a dramatic 4-3 comeback victory over Whitletts Vics .
Top scorer Jordan Love netted a brace of goals for the Airdrie based outfit with their other scores being posted by Darren Bowie and recent signing Danny Burns whose coming off the bench to notch a late winner was a particularly cruel blow on the Ayrshiremen for whom Dean McColm (2) and Sandy Robertson were on target.
Continuing to pose a threat to the leading pair’s title aspirations are Drumchapel United, a mere three points further back in third top spot from two games fewer played , after David Templeton, Martin Grehan and Joe Coleman goals secured a 3-1 triumph over Thorniewood United while Kilbirnie Ladeside maintained their challenge thanks to James “Slick” Marks netting the only goal of the game away to St Rochs.
WEEKEND RESULTS: P.D.M Buildbase Premier Division. Auchinleck Talbot 3 Cambuslang Rangers 1, Clydebank 4 Troon 1, Glenafton 0 Pollok 2, Kilwinning Rangers 3 Darvel 6,Beith 7 Petershill 1, Cumnock 0 Hurlford Utd 0. PDM Buildbase First Division. St Cadocs 1 Bonnyton Thistle 2, Neilston 0 Rutherglen Glencairn 1, St Rochs 0 Kilbirnie Ladeside 1, Rossvale 2 Blantyre Vics 2 , Drumchapel Utd 3 Thorniewood Utd 1, Gartcairn 4 Whitletts Vics 3. PDM Buildbase Second Division. Greenock 2 Glasgow Perthshire 3, St Anthonys 2 Renfrew 2, Craigmark 2 Yoker Athletic 0, Glasgow University 0 Maryhill 1, Muirkirk 4 Glasgow Utd 2. PDM Buildbase Third Division. Finnart 0 Lesmahagow 2, Bellshill Athletic 1 Larkhall Thistle 0, Irvine Vics 5 Girvan 0, Ardrossan Winton Rovers 1 Dalry Thistle 2, Lanark Utd 4 Royal Albert 1, Saltcoats Vics 1 East Kilbride Thistle 5, Port Glasgow 0 Vale of Clyde 1. PDM Buildbase Fourth Division. West Park Utd 5 Harmony Row 0, Threave Rovers 4 St Peters 0, Glenvale 0 Kilsyth Athletic 1.
Regards
Jim O’Donnell
About Author
” I will hear what they say ( the players folks) and give them my views on Monday night.” That was from Peasy co -boss Mr Ian Currie.
He must have mellowed from the days at Shettleston and Vale of Clyde – no after match blast – as anyone who knows the big man will testify.
There is a lot of experience in that Peasy dressing room. Are they short changing the current management or the supporters? Or are they of the view – time for a change off the park?
We need a different approach.
Jim. Time will tell✍️
Great Match Report, Jim. I was involved coaching at Pollok when they won the old Sectional League Cup against Renfrew 3-0 at Lochburn. Carlo Monti was a superb player even then, but he missed a penalty kick just before half time in the semi final against Shotts at Newlandsfield. Lok were 2-0 up at the time. Carlo got away with any criticism from the gaffer – instead any blast was reserved for goalkeeper Stevie McNeil for changing the marking system! Shotts did pull a goal back second half before Pollok hit a third goal. I might add Stevie kept them in the game at 2-1, but Managers dont look at that – they would rather blame the keeper and his coach 👎
I still believe Carlo Monti was and still is a Match Winner👍