New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup First Round

ST ANTHONY's 3

ANNBANK UNITED 1

BANKIES bowed out of the second top cup competition despite a battling performance at McKenna Park.

The action started in the opening minute when an Ants corner was headed over the bar. In seven minute Jordan Drummond made a good challenge to stop an Ants attack and the ball was quickly played up the park to MacLean Simpson who played a great ball in but no one was in the box. Two minutes later Simpson had a low shot saved by the Ants keeper Patrick.

Andy Hainey, playing in a more advanced role, gambled on a loose back pass but his flick was saved by Patrick. In the 26th minute St Anthony's took the lead, the Bankies defence was caught out and the Ant's attack played the ball about nicely to Chris McLaughlin who fired low into the corner past Marc Fisher.

Four minutes later and Dillon Dunn took the ball into feet on the edge of the area, turned his man but saw his low shot pushed away by Patrick. As the half drew to a conclusion Fisher held a tame volley from the St Anthony's forward.

The second half started with the Ants on the front foot as Marc Fisher was forced into a save with the legs after Andy Stevenson had been beaten. With only 2 minutes played of the second half it was 2-0 as Chris McLaughlin fired low into the right corner from just outside the box. The Bankies' performance picked up after this second goal went in as Dunn make a driving run in on the left but shot wide and then Tommy Sloan delivered a great ball into the box for MacLean Simpson but he saw his header come back off the post. Dunn put another effort wide and then had a low shot saved as the Bankies looked for a way back into the game.

In 69 minutes they had their chance, Simpson was fouled by the Ants keeper and as the ref pointed to the spot, Dunn stepped up to convert from 12 yards for his ninth goal of the season. Almost immediately St Anthony's went on the attack, forcing Fisher to tip an effort round the post. From the resulting corner they restored the two-goal cushion. As the ball was played in the Bankies had a few efforts at clearing but just couldn't get the ball out the box and it fell kindly for James Ross to convert. Dunn had a good chance to reduce the deficit in 74 minutes after Daniel Wilson had pulled the ball back for him but he blazed over the bar.

ANNBANK UNITED: Fisher; Barrett, T Sloan, Stevenson, Drummond, L Sloan, Smith, Blair, Dunn, Simpson, Hainey. Subs: Taylor, Ross, Wilson, Fitzimmons, Gray.

New boss Keith Stewart, meanwhile, has added Daniel Gray from the U19s side as goalkeeping cover and midfielder Lewis Blair from Lugar.