17/09/2016  |  South Challenge Cup

Cumbernauld Colts   1  v  0  St Cuthberts Wanderers

ROSS BALLANTYNE marked his return to Colts starting eleven in impressive fashion after his decisive strike edged out St Cuthbert Wanderers at Broadwood.

The veteran midfielder bagged the only goal of the game in his first competitive start of the campaign as Colts secured their place in the second round of the SFA South Regional Challenge Cup.

Former Glencairn man Ballantyne latched onto a loose ball inside the penalty box midway through the second half and made no mistake with an explosive finish to win the tie.

However the Cumbernauld side didn't have things all their own way against the South of Scotland League champions, but they got the job done and can now look forward to next week's massive William Hill Scottish Cup first round tie against Leith Athletic in the capital.

The Borders side started the game brightly and we're well organised as Colts struggled to find any fluency in the first period after the management duo made seven changes to the side that lost at East Stirling the previous week.

Lee Foggin was another man making his first competitive start of the season and the Colts full back looked the most likely hope of creating something when he delivered dangerous crosses into the box for Andy Ward and Owen Ronald but neither could convert.

Colts struggled to get any foothold in the game as the first half progressed and it was the visitors who looked more capable of breaking the deadlock with some slick counter attacks.

Just after the half hour Grant Middlemiss went close when he sent a lobbed effort just wide of Chris Fahey's goal and the Colts keeper had to be alert again moments later to block Scott Milligan's fierce drive.

But the half time team talk worked wonders for the hosts as they started the second period in more determined mood and Ballantyne went close five minutes after the restart when he was picked out by Jamie Broadfoot but the midfielder's lobbed effort rebounded off the post with visiting keeper Ross Wilson stranded.

Colts then introduced Stephen O'Neil and Craig Murray around the hour mark and this change seemed to give the hosts a further lift with Andy Selkirk and Ballantyne again going agonisingly close with low strikes which St Cuthbert's keeper Wilson was equal to.

However the goal was coming and it arrived in 71 minutes when Foggin made another penetrating run towards the bye line before picking out O'Neil who's low strike was blocked by Wilson, but the ever ready Ballantyne was first to react in a crowded penalty box to blast the ball with his left foot high into the top corner from fifteen yards.

It was a tremendous strike fit to win any match and although Colts could have put some gloss on the result in the closing stages with efforts from Murray, Selkirk and Andy Hunter the solitary strike from Ballantyne was enough to secure Colts place in the next round.

Reporter: Stuart Coleman