PEALS of thunder and flashes of lightning formed a part of the backdrop as Beith’s clearly tiring players trooped off the John Cummings Stadium on Saturday to the well-deserved acclaim of those Ayrshire supporters who had journeyed to the Juniors outpost.

A hat-trick from Kenny McLean along with a Paul Frize strike earned a 4-2 Evening Times Champions Cup semi-final victory over Royal Albert that kept up Mighty’s remarkable end-of-season momentum – just one defeat in 15 games – and sets them up for a final date with Petershill next Friday.

But their latest triumph proved to be no procession as Central Second Division champions Royal Albert refused to lie down, even coming up with a first-half equaliser that at one point harboured hopes of an almighty upset being on the cards.

Jamie Nesbitt’s side refused to compromise on their passing style while defensively they put their bodies on the line and never gave an inch until the closing half hour when Beith’s domination eventually told with three goals.

Albert boss Nesbitt said: “Having players posted missing from our win over Dalry Thistle in midweek was too much of a handicap against a team of Beith’s quality and working so hard to close down the ball meant we just ran out of steam.

“It’s disappointing our Evening Times adventure is over but I’m immensely proud of the guys for their performance today and in the bigger scheme of things for putting the name of Royal Albert back on the Junior map.

“Trying to back up this season’s achievements is the really hard bit and I’m glad to say we have already started on that job.”

The opening passage of play saw Beith grab a territorial foothold and several near things ensued, most notably a Kenny McLean header off the crossbar after being cleverly set up by Keir Milliken, and this establishing of themselves paid dividends with 17 minutes on the clock when a sharp passing movement down the left flank released Nikky Docherty to send in a cross that was powerfully headed home by dangerman McLean at the near post.

Little had been seen of the home side as an attacking threat, despite the enterprising wing play of Fraser Scott, but his willingness to take on defenders was rewarded with a free-kick that led to a 39th-minute leveller for Royal Albert – Chris Dolan’s terrific set-piece delivery headed home from close range by Scott McLaughlin.

Beith were again on the front foot and if anything looking more menacing when the second half got underway however Royal Albert’s goal remained intact until a sumptuous Frize goal on the hour mark put the visitors 2-1 ahead.

A loose clearance was pounced on by the busy midfielder and he surged into the penalty area, leaving a couple of defenders in his wake, before clipping a low shot beyond helpless goalkeeper Chris Smith.

McLean's second goal of the afternoon came in the 72nd minute when he sublimely headed home.

Royal Albert’s beleaguered backline were struggling to cope with Beith’s introduction of attacking substitutes Darren Christie and Thomas Collins so it was no real surprise when a desperate challenge inside the penalty box floored Collins and brought a spot-kick award, expertly tucked away by McLean for his hat-trick.

Beith appeared content to keep possession and see out the game over the closing stages but there was still time for Royal Albert to put a better complexion on the scoreline when an 87th-minute Dolan corner was glanced home by stopper Stuart McFarlane.

Marksman McLean, who only returned from cruciate ligament surgery earlier this season, admitted: “Frustratingly I have missed out on a lot of games and that has meant the goals have been hard to come by since making my comeback.

“I now only have four goals for the season and I could and probably should have scored at least a couple more today but I have to be happy with three goals and hopefully there’s more to come in our remaining games.”

Beith gaffer Johnny Millar owned up to a first-half tactical bloomer when giving his summations.

He said: “ We started out with a different shape to try and accommodate for having so many regular players missing and were all over the place in the first 45 minutes.

“Changing back at half-time and getting more width into our game made the world of difference and it was particularly pleasing to see Kenny getting on the end of things and notching three well-taken goals.

“The players were told at half time of the need to step up their game if they wanted their season to keep going and thankfully they had it in their locker.

A potentially hectic last week of the season continues for Beith tonight with a New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup semi-final showdown at home to Darvel which the Mighty troops will have to negotiate without midfield ace Frize who is serving a one-match suspension.

The other half of the draw also features two Ayrshire clubs, withHurlford United thirsting to avenge last month’s Scottish Junior Cup Final demise when hosting Auchinleck Talbot.

And a crunch night beckons for famous old Glasgow clubs Maryhill and Shettleston in seeking to preserve their Super First Division status in play-off matches (first leg) against Whitletts Vics and Neilston respectively.

WEEKEND RESULTS:

Evening Times Champions Cup.Semi Final.Royal Albert 2 Beith 4New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup.Quarter Final. Cambuslang Rangers 3 Hurlford Utd 4. Ayrshire Cup Final.Largs Thistle 0 Kilwinning Rangers 1.). Central League Cup.Semi Final.Glasgow Perthshire 1 Pollok 2.McBookie.com Central First Division. Yoker Athletic 1 Wishaw 3, Thorniewood Utd 1 Shotts Bon Accord 5. Super Premier Division Play-Off.Arthurlie 0 Irvine Meadow 2 (Irvine Meadow win 4-1 aggregate)

PLAYING TONIGHT(Kick Off 7.30 PM):New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup.Semi Finals.Hurlford Utd v Auchinleck Talbot, Beith v Darvel..McBookie.com Central First Division. Wishaw v Port Glasgow .Super First Division Play-Offs . First Leg. Maryhill v Whitletts Vics , Shettleston v Neilston.