Binos’ power proves too much for Methil men

It was the calm before the storm at Bayview as the Methil men hosted Stirling Albion in a low-key Challenge Cup tie.

On Sunday the sparse Bayview stand which greeted the players will be packed when the Fifers host Rangers live on TV in the Betfred Cup.

But they’ll go into that tie after being dumped out of one cup competition by the impressive Binos.

Bayview boss Darren Young freshened things up, handing starts to Danny Denholm and Craig Watson while young Rory Cosgrove partnered Kevin Smith in attack. The Methil men had a turbulent campaign in the Challenge Cup last season, enduring a farce of a tie against Irish side Bohemians before taking a place in the semi-finals.

The game completely failed to ignite in the opening stages with neither ‘keeper having a save to make.

Long balls were aimlessly punted forward and soaked up comfortably by each defence.

It took a good 25 minutes for anything resembling a chance to be created.

A neat ball in from Liam Watt found Danny Denholm six yards out but his effort was blocked by the home defence.

The game cracked into life a few minutes before the break when the League Two side took the lead.

Veteran striker Daryll Duffy showed excellent composure inside the box to send a lovely lob over Jordan Hart.

The Methil men introduced strikers Ryan Wallace and Anton Dowds from the bench as they went in hunt of an equaliser.

They were so close to grabbing it when Wallace’s through ball sliced open the Stirling defence and found Denholm.

Denholm tried to nudge his finish beyond Cameron Binnie but didn’t get enough on it and the keeper saved.

They were made to pay for the miss on 67 minutes when Josh Peters finished off a sweeping move up the park and beat Jordan Hart to make it 2-0 for the visitors.