Beith’s shock Emirates Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Maryhill may well go down in history as the pivotal moment that catapulted the Ayrshire cracks to a first-ever Super Premier crown.
That’s the opinion of experienced midfielder Martin McGarvey, who reckons his side will be pulling out all the stops to prevent a repeat of the pain experienced from twin cup exits this term.
Their current seven-point lead at the top of the table was strengthened by weekend defeats for chasing pair Pollok and Largs Thistle, and now Garv is vowing that they will stay there.
Reasoned the 36-year-old playmaker: “You would have to say it’s now looking very much a two-horse race between us and Auchinleck Talbot.
“And with us having points in the bag compared to their games in hand, then in all honesty we’ll probably never have a better chance to win the title.
“Obviously our double-header against Talbot is set to have a massive say on how things eventually pan out, but nobody here is fearing the prospect.
“In fact, the complete opposite applies with everyone desperate to make amends for unbelievably poor displays in the two big cup competitions.”
The former Scotland international ace also welcomed another testing encounter for Beith, when they travel to reigning champions Irvine Meadow this Saturday.
He added: “It would be disastrous to let all our hard work up to now count for nothing so our aim is full points from 10 remaining fixtures starting with Medda this week.
“And though it’s a real toughie, I can think of no better game to get us back on track.”
Pollok losing out 1-0 to a Stevie Livingstone goal for Bellshill Athletic has all but put paid to Newlands-field hopes of the title, while early-season shock troops Largs have likewise dropped way off the pace after a 3-0 defeat at Lanark United.
But moving threateningly up into third place in the standings are Auchinleck, on the back of a 7-1 hammering of Vale of Clyde, the highlight of which was a hat-trick in eight minutes by substitute John Boyle.
Their latest defeat leaves the Tin Pail rooted in bottom spot, some seven points adrift of Bellshill, however dropping rapidly into the relegation mire are Petershill after Paul McQuilken (2), Gary Carberry, and ex-Peasy ace Kevin Murray netted in Rob Roy’s 4-1 rout away to the Springburn side.
One flight lower down, Cumnock edged to within five points of table-toppers Rutherglen Glen-cairn after a 2-0 triumph over near-neighbours Glenafton.
But, left ruing a glor-ious opportunity to move into second top spot were Clydebank, who were 3-0 ahead and coasting against Girvan, only for an astonishing late collapse to allow the Ayrshiremen in to salvage a point.
Saturday’s fixtures
(Kick-offs 2pm unless stated)
Emirates Scottish Cup. Fifth round: Whitletts v Linlithgow, Largs v Rob Roy, Bathgate v Bo’ness, Tayport v Newtongrange, Auchinleck v Clydebank, Lochee Utd v Maryhill. Fourth round: Hill O’Beath v Arthurlie, Cambuslang v Glencairn (all 2.15pm).
Stagecoach Super Premier: Irvine Meadow v Beith, Kilbirnie v Petershill, Lanark v Bellshill, Pollok v Vale of Clyde.
Stagecoach Super First: Girvan v Maybole, Dalry v Kilsyth, East Kilbride v Glenafton, Annbank v Cumnock, Ashfield v Neilston.
Stagecoach Central District First: Thorniewood v Vale of Leven, Port Glasgow v Blantyre Vics, Shotts v Lesmahagow, Cumbernauld v St Anthony’s, Larkhall v Dunipace.
Stagecoach Central District Second: Wishaw v Benburb, Newmains v Forth, Carluke v Greenock, Shettleston v St Roch’s, Johnstone Burgh v Royal Albert.
Ayrshire District League: Ardeer v Lugar, Irvine Vics v Kello, Troon v Hurlford, Winton Rovers v Kilwinning, Craigmark v Muirkirk, Darvel v Saltcoats.
