Ardagh Group West of Scotland Cup First Round

BENBURB 5

MAYBOLE 1

By Kristian Truelsen

MAYBOLE suffered an unlucky 13th defeat of the campaign as they exited the West of Scotland Cup at New Tinto Park on Saturday.

Benburb comfortably booked their place in the second round but Carlo Walker’s men gave the Championship joint-leaders a fright in the first half.

There were signs that ‘Bole could pull off a cup shock after Maclean Simpson put the visitors ahead.

However, Paul Lovering’s on-form Bens – currently on an 11-game unbeaten run in the league – showed their quality with a devastating second-half goal blitz after Maybole had been reduced to 10 men to ease through to the next round.

Benburb midfielder Michael Mulcahy had a low strike well saved by ‘Bole keeper Elliot Masterson on six minutes as the Ladywell Stadium team soaked up some early pressure.

Home goalie keeper Ryan McWilliams had to be alert five minutes later to save Fraser Smith’s precise free-kick.

Maybole broke the deadlock in 20 minutes when Damien Bloy caught the Bens backline flat-footed with a perfect ball over the top for Simpson to slot a low effort past McWilliams.

Their lead only lasted 10 minutes as Mulcahy finished off a lightning quick counter-attack with a stinging shot beyond Masterson.

Benburb moved up a gear after the interval and ‘Bole defender Smith made a crucial block to deny Willie McLaren’s pin-point header.

Bens turned the game on its head in 63 minutes when Gareth Brown blasted a shot home from the edge of the box.

Maybole had a mountain to climb when Callum Nairn picked up his second yellow card for an off-the-ball incident.

Things went from bad to worse when Andy Wright headed home from close range.

Maybole conceded two penalties within minutes. Ryan McCrone dispatched his spot-kick but fellow sub Jamie Ballantyne’s effort rattled the post before McLaren made it 5-1 with a composed strike at the death.

MAYBOLE: Masterson, Bloy, Smith, McMillan, Peacock, Bell, Hainey, Nairn, Simpson, Holland, Dixon. Subs: Yair, McCulloch, McCann.