Ramsdens Cup: Raft of ties gets Scottish football season underway

Annan’S players were unable to train on the new 3G surface at Galabank until Thursday night, but they soon got to grips with it and set about producing the shock of the Ramsdens Cup South/West section when they beat First Division Livingston 1-0.

Harry Cairney’s side have reached the semi-final stages of the competition twice in just four attempts and they could be set for another run after substitute Graeme Bell fired home a fierce 20-yard shot with just 16 minutes left. Cairney said: “We have changed the team around, and have not had much time on the new pitch, so this is a 
fantastic win.”

The Lions had the better openings throughout, but were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Alex Mitchell. John Hughes, the West Lothian club’s manager, said: “Annan worked really hard for their win. We made a few chances, but did not play anything like we can and got punished for it.”

Hamilton, last season’s beaten finalists, are also out after going down 1-0 at home to Airdrie United, with Willie McLaren returning to haunt his old club by curling home the only goal five minutes from the end.

Dumbarton added to the First Division casualty list as they lost 1-0 to Second Division visitors Queen of the South, with Nicky Clark’s second-half header proving decisive.

Another upset occurred at Ochilview where East Stirlingshire, the SFL’s worst team last season, ruined Mark Roberts’ competitive debut as Ayr United manager by running out 3-1 winners.

Shire’s recent recruit from Whitehill Welfare, Michael Herd, scored twice in the first half, with Somerset Park youngster Mark Shankland lobbing his side back into things six minutes into the second period. However, Scott Maxwell sealed the hosts’ passage when he left two defenders behind before shooting home four minutes from time.

Partick Thistle beat Clyde 1-0 in a Glasgow derby encounter which was played at Alloa’s Recreation Park. Substitute Kris Doolan struck the only goal in the second half.

Morton progressed with a 2-0 win over Albion Rovers at Cappielow. Tony Wallace and David O’Brien both scored in the second half, with Rovers finishing with only ten men after Tony Stevenson’s dismissal.

Brown Ferguson hit a late winner for Stenhousemuir as they defeated Stranraer 2-1 at Stair Park, with Warrior John Gemmell heading home a debut goal to open the scoring and Sean Winter replying for the Blues.

Queen’s Park goalkeeper Neil Parry hit the winning spot-kick and saved three Berwick efforts as the Spiders defeated their hosts 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Tony Quinn had the visitors ahead twice, with Neil Janczyk and Kevin McDonald levelling.