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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Eric McGowan

Beith 4 Irvine Meadow 3: The Mighty bounce back from double own goal blow to take three points

Andy Monk's late strike settled a ding-dong battle at Bellsdale this afternoon as Beith bounced back from losing two own goals to take the points.

The hosts let a 3-1 second half lead slip as both Jay McKay and Steven Noble turned the ball into their own net.

But just when it looked like the momentum had swung Meadow's way, frontman Monk pounced on some dreadful defending to put The Mighty back in front with 10 minutes to go.

The visitors flung the kitchen sink at an equaliser but Beith bravely held on for a victory that lifts them to fourth in the West of Scotland League Premier Division.

Meadow went into the match knowing three points would take them joint top of the table with Darvel.

But barely 60 seconds were on the clock when they fell behind - Carlo Monti taking Josh Fowler's pass in his stride 20 yards from goal before steering a shot across goalkeeper Marc Waters and into the corner of the net.

Two minutes later it was all square, Callum Graham slotting home a penalty after referee Sean Murdoch spotted an infringement in the box.

The next 25 minutes saw Meadow take control of the match- albeit without really troubling home keeper Fran Carlin.

Beith regained a foothold around the half hour mark and Kian Burns was unlucky to see his shot from a tight angle hit the woodwork before Fowler was denied by a brilliant sliding challenge from Martin Finday as he attempted to pull the trigger.

Fowler would have better luck in 37 minutes when he fired home a loose ball in the box after the Medda defence missed several opportunities to clear their lines.

Beith took a 2-1 lead into the break and they extended their advantage within two minutes of the restart.

No-one in blue tracked Danny O'Neil's run into the six yard box giving the defender ample space to head Monti's inswinging cross into the net.

Meadow really toiled to create chances until McKay's 69th minute OG give them a way back into the game.

And it was as bizarre a goal as you'll see all season. Beith looked to have survived when Connor Boyd's low drive came back off the post.

But McKay stuck out a boot and sent the ball spinning back towards goal where it somehow snuck in at the far post.

Suddenly, the pendulum had swung in Medda's direction again and after some concerted pressure, they drew level in 76 minutes when the luckless Noble turned a cut-back past his own goalkeeper.

It looked like a blow too far for Beith but four minutes later they were back in front.

Meadow tried to play their way out of trouble at the back rather than simply clear their lines and Monk mopped up, lashing a powerful shot past Waters.

Beith withstood everything Meadow could throw at them in the closing stages to hold on for an excellent win.

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