McBookie Super League Premier Division

BEITH 6

GIRVAN 0

By Stewart McConnell

HAPLESS Girvan were bystanders to a title procession as Beith Juniors seized the top flight title in spectacular style on a day of high drama.

This was nicknamed not helicopter Saturday but Transit Van Saturday as the coveted silverware would be delivered in a more low budget style by road to Cumnock - if Auchinleck Talbot won their game - or Beith- should the hosts win and Tommy Sloan's side slip.

Beith sealed their part of the deal by going 3-0 up inside 24 minutes. However when Talbot went 2-0 up just after the break it looked like it was all in vain until Cumnock scored twice midway through the first half, sparking delirium among the home fans.

Beith won a corner-kick following good play from Darren Christie in six minutes but it the came to nothing.

Girvan carved out an opening in eight minutes when Adam Caldwell shot wide from 16 yards.

Then Antonio Sisi shot well over the bar from 22 yards in 10 minutes.

The hosts came so close when am Andy Reid effort from the edge of the box was confidently clutched by Scott Johnstone.

The visitors forged another opening in 14 minutes when's Sisi shot from the edge of the box was well saved by Stephen Grindlay.

Beith blasted into the lead in 18 minutes when Thomas Collins pounced on a loose ball and squared it to Kenny McLean who shot home from 10 yards.

McLean had the ball in the net in 22 minutes but the "goal" was chalked off for offside.

It was 2-0 in 24 minutes when the inventive Joe Bradley made a great turn before blasting in off the post from 18 yards.

Bradley shot just over the bar from 18 yards in 31 minutes. However a minute later the broke to him eight yards out and he shot under Johnstone and into the net.

Then the visiting goalie sprinted out to save at the feet of Collins in 34 minutes.

A strong effort from 12 yards by Paul Frize was well saved by Johnstone in 38 minutes.

Martin Reilly shot well wide from 16 yards for Girvan five minutes later.

Then a minute later the unchallenged Darren Christie raced into the box before lifting the ball over Johnstone and into the net

Beith blasted into a 5-0 lead in 54 minutes when substitute Jamie Cunningham shot home from four yards.

A Christie cross into the box was booted away by a Girvan defender in 62 minutes.

Girvan were unlucky two minutes later when Caldwell shot behind the goal from 12 yards.

Ross "Archie" McPherson netted at the near post to make it 6-0 in 69 minutes.

Girvan had a great chance in 74 minutes when Robert Patterson shot just over the bar at the near post.

But the clock ticked down and there were muted celebrations for two minutes until the final whistle blew, the title was sealed and the whole place erupted.

This was perhaps one of Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected with an unlikely ending - even to home diehards. But the enormity of what they had achieved then began to sink in.

BEITH JUNIORS: Grindlay; McGlinchey, Milliken, MacDonald, N Docherty, Wilson, Christie, Frize, Collins, Reid, Bradley. Subs: McPherson, McLean, Cunningham, Martin.

GIRVAN: Johnstone; Craig Reid, M Cameron, Cunningham, O'Donnell, Dinwoodie, Caldwell, Sisi, Mitchell, Reilly. Subs: Patterson, P Cameron, Harvey, Doolan, Hunter.