Arniston Rangers 1 Beith 0

At the beginning of this Scottish Junior Cup, 3rd round tie, a minute's silence was observed for Mrs. Knox who was a founder member and former president of Arniston Rangers Ladies Supporters Club, and also an Honorary member of Arniston Rangers Football Club.

From the whistle, Beith pushed forward for an early goal and forced three corners in as many minutes, but with no rewards.

Arniston were now settling down and playing some good football with play ranging from end to end, but both keepers at this stage were never really tested.

In a Rangers attack, a good ball fell favourably to Stewart but he failed to take his chance.

In a free kick taken by B. Ferguson, the keeper could only turn it round the upright for a fruitless corner.

Then in the nineteenth minute Arniston were finally rewarded when an inch-perfect through ball was collected by Stewart who prodded it past the advancing McCorrison to give the Rangers the lead.

Arniston continued their attack up to half-time, but the Beith defence cleared all the danger.

At the beginning of the second half Russell of Beith was booked. When play re-started the Rangers forced two corners, but their forwards could not connect to increase their lead.

Arniston Rangers were continuing to be the more dangerous on the break with their defence clearing any danger from the Beith forwards.

Beith made a good move down the left by Garrett whose cross was met by Harkness. He headed the ball down with such force that it bounced over the cross bar for what should have been an equaliser for Beith and a let off for the Rangers.

Later N. Fleming tried to force a ball through the Beith defence but his weak parting shot went wide.

Stewart almost added a second when he had a diving header go just wide with the keeper well beaten.

A minute later Beith had a gilt-edged chance to equalise, when Garrett with only Gaurie to beat, unaccountably ballooned the ball well over when it seemed easier to score.

In a fine Rangers break Stewart took the ball through the Beith defence and blasted a shot on target, but McCorrison was equal to the shot with a brilliant save to stop Beith going further behind.

In the eighty fifth minute Smith had the ball in the back of the net, but a previous infringement ruled it out.

Arniston Rangers: Gaurie, Begbie, R. Fleming, Brown, G. Ferguson, N. Fleming, Bennett, Fairley, Stewart, B. Ferguson, Henderson. Subs: Smith, Higgins.

Beith: McCorrison, Crawford, Wilson, Jeffery, Russell, Halley, Garrett, McQueen, Harkness, Whiteside, McNeil. Subs: Byrne, McKean.

Referee: R. McGuire, Hamilton.

EARLY GOALS FAIL TO SETTLE TIGHT TIE.

Arniston Rangers 1 Annbank 1

A crowd of 1,200 saw this Scottish Cup Fourth round replay get off to an electrifying start when, in the second minute, Landells forced the ball into the Annbank net, for the opener.

However the lead was short lived when, in the fifth minute after a good move by Annbank, Sloan grabbed the equaliser.

Later, in a swift Annbank move, a shot was forced across the goal-mouth and was met by Hunter who blasted it over the bar.

Farley should have put the Rangers ahead, but Duffy was equal to his shot for a fine save.

Play was ranging from end to end, but both sets of defences were well on top.

When play resumed the Rangers went on the offensive, and a lovely through ball from Fairley to Harrison caused danger to the Annbank goal, but Ireland and Sloan stepped in to clear the danger.

Later Thom tried a long forty yarder which completely beat Gourie and crashed against the crossbar, and Gourie eventually collected the ball with some difficulty.

Minutes later Cranston had a good penalty claim turned away by referee Brooks, and the ball was cleared by the Annbank defence.

A bad clearance by the Arniston defence fell to Reilly who should have put Annbank ahead, but Gourie made an excellent save.

At this stage G. Ferguson came on as substitute. B. Ferguson broke on the left and forced a shot across the Annbank goalmouth, but there were no Arniston forwards up in support and the chance was wasted.

Again Annbank should have gone into the lead when from a corner, Grieve was well beaten, and with the ball heading for the back of the net an Arniston defender managed to clear the ball off the line.

Later Brown had a fine run into the box and the Annbank defence had to concede a corner. From the resulting corner the Annbank defence eventually cleared the danger.

Both teams were going full out for the winner with Annbank having the better of the exchanges, but the Arniston defence were giving nothing away.

The game ended in a draw and both clubs agreed to the toss of the coin for the second replay, and Annbank won the toss so the second replay goes on at Annbank next week.

Arniston Rangers: Gourie, Begbie, R. Fleming, Stewart, Landells, N. Fleming, Harrison, Fairley, Brown, B. Ferguson, Henderson. Subs: G. Ferguson, Bennett.

Annbank United: Duffy, Docherty, Ireland, S. Thom, Sloan, Brolly, Reilly, Wilson, Hunter, McKenzie, Kennedy. Subs: J. Thom, Cameron.