New-look Glencairn impress at home

Glencairn .............. 3 Blantyre ................ 1

Rutherglen Glencairn coach George Fotheringham was glad to get 20 players enough game time to ensure they are raring to go for the new league campaign.

The Glens made nine changes to the starting line-up from Saturday’s 9-0 hammering of Larkhall Thistle and continued where they left off with a second Sectional League Cup victory over Blantyre Victoria.

Dale Simeon bagged his first competitive goal for his new club from the penalty spot to give them a 1-0 half-time lead. Ryan McArdle doubled their advantage before Lewis McDonald reduced the deficit.

But young Harry Mitchell was on hand to seal their second win in the group to please assistant coach Fotheringham.

He said:“We’ve managed to get 20 players almost a full match each which is good preparation for the start of the league on Saturday, which is our main focus.

“Of course we want to win this group and win matches which all builds confidence, so we’ve done well so far.

“We have another game on Wednesday night where we can hopefully get another positive outcome, and then it’s full focus on the league matches.”

There were starting debuts for midfielders Tommy Porter and Mitchell. The only two survivors from Saturday’s starting team were captain Tony Fraser and Simeon.

After a tight opening spell with the Vics edging the game up to this point, the Glens took the lead in the 17th minute. A cross from the right towards Liam Gormley saw the striker bundled over and the referee whistled for a penalty kick which Simeon smashed into the roof of the net.

The lead was doubled shortly after half-time as Mitchell’s cross from the left picked out Simeon in the middle. Blantyre goalkeeper Dean Trainor made a terrific block, but McArdle was there to convert the rebound from a tight angle.

The Vics brought themselves back into contention through McDonald, who pounced on a slack pass to race through the defence and slip the ball under Scott McLellan.

However, the game was wrapped up in dramatic style with only three minutes remaining as Mitchell surged forward from the halfway line and unleased a peach of a shot which flew past Trainor to make it 3-1.

Glencairn now need only a point from the remaining Sectional League Cup group match against East Kilbride Thistle tonight, 7pm kick off, to secure the top spot and a place in the last 16.