Bellshill hammer hapless Harthill

Jul 28 2011 by David Bell, Hamilton Advertiser

BELLSHILL hit double figures last week to give themselves a massive boost ahead of the Sectional League Cup kick-off.

Gerry Creaney’s men blasted 10 past hapless Harthill last Wednesday, with Andy Selkirk and Gary Redpath each grabbing a brace, adding to singles from new signings Lee Morrison and Jonathan McStay, while trialists claimed the other four.

And Bellshill followed that win up by beating Newmains United 2-0 at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility on Saturday, when Ryan Connelly and Anton McDougall were on target.

Bellshill boss Creaney said: “We were excellent at Harthill and had a really good work-out against Newmains – it was encouraging to see our new signings and trialists get in amongst the goals.”

Newmains went into the game on the back of a 6-1 defeat at Lochgelly Albert.

Player-manager Thomas Devine said: “Fitness levels were the key to the Lochgelly game – they’ve had more match practice and were sharper and faster.

“We were 2-0 down at half-time and lost two silly goals in the second half.

“It was a much better performance against Bellshill on Saturday and we held out until the 70th minute before conceding the first goal, with a second going in about 10 minutes later.”

LANARK UNITED clocked up a 6-0 win at home to Ayrshire First Division side Darvel, with Liam Mushet striking on eight minutes to give United a half-time lead.

A second-half blitz, with goals from John Renwick, Chris Seenan, Alan McFadden and a Jack Marriott double gave Lanark a comfortable win.

LARKHALL THISTLE followed up their 6-0 win over junior newcomers Rossvale by beating Blackburn 6-3 on Saturday.

Goals ace Graham Gracie (pictured left) kicked off this season the way he left off by rattling in two doubles in five days.

He and new signing JP Grant both hit a brace in midweek against Rossvale, with singles from Alan Smith and Mark McKeever.

On Saturday, Gracie shared the goals with Grant, McKeever, Ross McGeachie and new signing Kevin Baillie.

Manager Duncan Sinclair said: “We played impressively against Rossvale and continued that against Blackburn.”

FORTH WANDERERS beat Tynecastle Amateurs 4-0, with goals from Alan Cameron (2), a Kris Jarvie penalty and a strike by Dean Grant.

Manager Jamie McKenzie said: “It was a good exercise against fairly tough opposition.”

CARLUKE ROVERS picked up their third draw in a week with a 1-1 at Kello Rovers in an entertaining match on Saturday.

Rovers were again slow starters but dominated the match for long spells.

Gavin McLaughlan produced a couple of good saves early on to keep his side in the game before Mark Weir fired in a 20-yard strike for the opener on the stroke of half-time.

Kello equalised on the hour-mark.

LESMAHAGOW lost 2-1 away to Kilwinning Rangers, with James White on target.

Assistant manager Davie Jackson said: “I was quite pleased with the overall performance.

“We looked good in the opening quarter and the final 25 minutes, but lost our way a wee bit in-between probably due to lack of match fitness, although Gareth Davies hit the post and Barry Murdoch struck the bar.”

WISHAW clocked up a draw, a win and a defeat in a five-day spell.

Brian Snedley and Clark Rafferty were on target in the 2-2 draw with Muirkirk last Tuesday.

Two days later, Ryan Wilson, Chris McIntyre and Rafferty scored in the 3-2 win over Columba Amateurs.

On Saturday Kevin Barry Grant scored in the 2-1 defeat at home to Saltcoats Vics.

Co-manager Alex Young said: “During these games we found out a lot about certain players – some good, some bad – which made it all worthwhile.”

THORNIEWOOD UNITED beat a Hamilton Accies’ Under-19 side 3-2 on Sunday, with goals from Des Bradshaw, Martin Daly and McAllan, after Micky Devlin and Gary Frame had given Accies a 2-0 lead.

STONEHOUSE VIOLET found themselves on the receiving end of two defeats – 5-3 away to Dumbarton, then a 7-0 weekend hammering at Vale of Leven.