The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Bluebells stun Beith to claim place in last four
Lochee United await semifinal draw after fine win in Ayrshire
Lochee United manager George Shields hailed his side’s comprehensive victory over Beith to advance to the semi-finals.
The crack Ayrshire outfit were one of the favourites to repeat their 2016 triumph and have beaten Auchinleck Talbot twice this season.
No wonder the Bluebells boss was so delighted by the 4-1 success that must rank as one of the greatest results in the club’s history, especially as some of their preparations hit a late snag.
He revealed: “We had them watched three times and knew their weaknesses and planned accordingly.
“Central defender Paul Lunan was a late call off with a chest infection which meant we had to rejig things and Craig Smith, who normally plays up front, stepped back and was outstanding.
“Special mention, of course, also goes to Connor Birse, but everyone played their part in a fantastic team performance,” said Shields.
The gaffer has no preferences for who they meet next. He said: “Having won convincingly at Irvine Meadow and now Beith, we fear nobody, especially with the semis being two-legged.”
The Bluebells did not get off to the best of starts, conceding after five minutes when Conner McGlinchey converted a spot-kick after handball by Greg Kirk.
That advantage was short-lived with hat-trick hero Birse profiting from a defensive mix up to level.
Five minutes after the interval, Birse turned provider for Grant Lawson to cut inside and drill the ball into the net.
On the hour mark, Birse slotted home a Scott McComiskie pass and with 12 minutes left latched on to a Stephen McNally through ball to dink it over the keeper.
Although Beith were awarded a second penalty late on, this time Mark Fotheringham denied McGlinchey.
Carnoustie were unable to match Lochee’s feat, finding Auchinleck too tough a nut to crack with the Ayrshire side worthy 2-0 winners at Laing Park.
Gowfers boss Alan McSkimming said: “It was an experience that will benefit the players, but unfortunately their performance didn’t match the occasion.”
The Ayrshire giants wasted no time in making their mark with William Lyle firing in the opener after 15 minutes. The Gowfers really had a mountain to climb when Graham Wilson added the second before the break.
Hard as they tried, the hosts rarely threatened the Talbot goal.
In the other tie Bo’ness United were held to a 2-2 draw by Hurlford United.
In the one outstanding fifth round game, Wishaw won 3-1 at Yoker to set up a home quarter-final with Kirkintilloch Rob Roy on Saturday.