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Match Report
  Bellshill Athletic 1 Dalry Thistle 3 - Saturday 29th March 2008 - Whyte & MacKay West of Scotland Cup
  Bellshill welcomed their Ayrshire District League opponents to a wet and windy New Brandon Park in front of their smallest crowd of the season. The attendance reflected the folly of the early kick off time in competition to an ongoing live old firm match on television.

Bellshill made two changes to their last starting line up. New signing Ryan Jordan replaced Coultar at the heart of the defence with Muir coming in on the right midfield, Berth with McGeochegan moving back to the left defence position and Franchetti dropping down to the bench Bellshill controlled the opening exchanges and deservedly went ahead in 14 minutes when Felvus shot home from close range. This setback spurred the visitors and McNab in the home goal was forced into action with a superb save from Allison on the edge of the box.

In their next attack Dalry won a corner following a defensive mix up. O’Malay took the kick and picked out the unmarked Graham who headed home from 10 yards. Bellshill upped the pace and went close when Murray headed the ball on the post after 22 minutes. Dalry were defending well and almost took the lead in 27 minutes when McNally raced clear from a long clearance which McNab saved at the second attempt.

As the first half drew to a close Boyd was played in on goal by McLaughlin but his tame effort went wide of the target. It was a rejuvenated Dalry who started the second half and the home defenders were under pressure for the first time in the game. It came as no surprise when Rodgers put the visitors ahead in 52 minutes finishing a fine move by Rae.

Dalry decided to shut up shop and defend their slender lead. Bellshill piled forward in numbers but were not troubling Rankin in the Dalry goal. In their isolated breakaways Jamieson and McNally were asking questions of a strangely hesitant home defence and in the 72nd minute Jamieson went through unchallenged to add a third goal. Bellshill dominated the remainder of the game but were unable to breach the 10 man defensive wall facing them.