Blantyre Vics notch up second win in cup

Mar 31 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

ALAN SHIELDS made it two wins in a row as the new Blantyre boss guided his side into the D & D Central League Cup second round at the expense of Wishaw.

James Cochrane opened Vics’ account with a controversial penalty award before Ross Fletcher doubled that lead against Wishaw, who had John Paul McBride and John Paul FitzPatrick sent off in the second half.

Despite being down to nine men, the visitors made it a nervy finish thanks to a late goal from Kieran Clark.

Shields (below) believes Vic were well worth their win. He said: “I think the 2-1 scoreline flattered Wishaw because we had three or four good chances to add to our score.

“We already have some good young players here, but I’ll be trying to add to the squad for the run-in.”

And Shields has already begun his rebuilding work by snapping up ex-St Mirren and Lesmahagow star Darren Moore, former Larkhall left-back Graham Shanks and striker John McFarlane, who re-signed after being released by Blantyre a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Andy Dorrans has left to team up with former Vics boss Willie Harvey at Rutherglen Glencairn.

Elsewhere, SHOTTS BON ACCORD stormed back from a goal down to dump Neilson 3-1 at home.

The visitors took a seventh-minute lead but Darren Ferguson headed in a Mark Sideserf cross to level in 33 minutes.

Subs Paul Burns and Tom Hanlon were called into action 10 minutes into the second half and within four minutes the latter set up John Boyack to drill into the net for a 2-1 lead.

A second-round tie at Maryhill was booked on the hour-mark when Mark Duffy finished off a Gary McStay through-ball.

FORTH booked a second round clash at Benburb with a 2-1 win over St Roch’s.

The county side’s slow start saw them fall a goal behind, then Hugh Kelly was denied a chance to level when his spot-kick was saved.

Gordon Murphy had better luck in 55 minutes, and on 80 minutes Barry Canning was decked in the box for a second time/ Barry Nicholls stepped up to slam home the winner.

Forth, however, will be minus the services of striker John Borris this weekend after he sent off for a second bookable offence.

LESMAHAGOW did well to hold Super Premier League side Petershill to a 1-1 draw in the regulation 90 minutes, only to bow out 5-4 on penalties.

Ryan McArdle put the Peasy in front after only three minutes, then Gow’s John Logan had a shot well saved before Kevin Barr equalised from a Jordan Moore cross after 30 minutes.

After shots crashed off the bar and post, Scott Bennett had a ‘goal’ ruled out for offside.

In a tense penalty shoot-out, Darren Jaffrey, Gareth Davies, Kevin Barr and Jordan Moore were spot-on, but the usually-reliable Barry Murdoch missed.

Manager Robert Irving, who revealed Moore and goalkeeper Stewart Thomson have signed extended contracts through to 2013, said: “We went behind after three minutes but after that we came into the game and were exceptional.”

ROYAL ALBERT went down 2-1 at East Kilbride Thistle but manager Iain McCluskie wasn’t too unhappy with the outcome.

McCluskie, who watched his young side lose an 86th minute goal after David Pow had equalised for Albert, said: “We were without half a dozen players through injuries, holidays and working. Assistant manager John Macdonald was our only sub.”