McDonald wins first trophy for Bellshill Athletic

Jul 31 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

TAM McDonald won his first piece of silverware as Bellshill boss when his new-look squad retained the Lanarkshire Breast Cancer Trophy in Blantyre Vics’ four-club tournament.

And Sandy Robertson won his first penalty shoot-out as Lesmahagow boss to land the Maybole Tournament trophy – a surprise but welcome birthday present!

Lanark United couldn’t make it a hat-trick of tournament wins, losing out in the final at Maryhill, as the host team won 3-1.

Bellshill trialist Max Asante, formerly with Petershill, scored a second-half equaliser against Whitburn to send the semi-final into a shoot-out, which McDonald’s side won 4-2.

In Saturday’s other semi-final Vics were surprisingly beaten 2-0 by juvenile side Campsie Black Watch.

Whitburn then beat Vics in Sunday’s third-place play-off, and in the final Bellshill romped home comfortable 5-2 winners with goals from Martin Lauchlan, John McBride, Asante, Anton Franchetti and Gary Fleming.

Delighted McDonald said after Sunday’s final: “We’re doing all right – but there’s still some hard work to be done.

Lesmahagow boss Sandy Robertson said: “I’m a year older, but I’m a happy man today – despite getting pelters from my wife for going to the competition instead of the birthday party.

“Our young central defence of Paul Gemmell and Gerry Jamieson were outstanding.”

John Logan scored twice to give ’Gow a 2-0 lead, but five second-half changes saw the Craighead Park club lose their rhythm and draw 2-2.

In the other semi-final Shotts came from a goal behind to beat Maybole 5-1, with former ’Gow striker Barr hitting four and new signing Ian Wallace also on the scoresheet.

Shotts boss Duncan Sinclair said: “It was absolutely great in our first game with a new squad – we played Maybole off the park in really hot conditions.

“In Sunday’s final, Brian Jack put us in front but ’Gow equalised before half-time and that lifted their spirits.

“We started the second half brightly, while they dominated the final quarter, but I think we should have had the game dead and buried before half-time.

“We want to get the guys match-fit, and two games in as many days is an ideal way to achieve that.

“We can take a lot of positives out of the competition.”

John Murdoch, snapped up last week from Clyde, produced four saves for ’Gow in the semi-final shoot-out, and another three in Sunday’s final.

Lanark united scrapped their way through a goal-less semi-final against Petershill in the Maryhill tournament, and nudged their way into the final on the back of a 4-2 penalty shoot-out.

But they lost 3-1 to their hosts in the final, with Craig Stark scoring a late consolation.

Manager Tony McInally said: “As an exercise in fitness, sharpness, and playing against quality opposition it was excellent, and our performance against Petershill – who finished third in the Super Premier League last season – was absolutely brilliant.

“In Sunday’s final we played really well until we got 20 yards from goal.

“I thought Tom Hanlon was the best player in the tournament. Davie Middleton did well, as did Mark Haddow and Barry McGowan from Carluke, who played in both games.”