Winton Rovers had good players in 1952.

BELLSHILL ATHLETIC 3 – ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS 1
Bellshill beat Winton after tense struggle
Ardrossan Winton Rovers were visitors to Brandon Park last Saturday (1 March 1952) where they met the Athletic in the West of Scotland Cup third round.  A huge crowd was in attendance when the teams lined up.  The Rovers were the more forceful side in the early stages and Burns, the Athletic keeper, did well when he punched over the bar for a fruitless comer from Donnelly's fast shot.  Despite the heavy nature of the ground, the game was played at fast pace.
     In an Athletic attack, Gray headed narrowly over from a Gardiner cross.  Minutes later Stillie, when well placed, shot over.  In a Rovers attack, McEwan shot past.  Both teams were serving up some grand football and the spectators were getting plenty to enthuse over.  Athletic had the better of the exchanges at this stage and keeper Frew saved Reilly’s high free kick at the expense of a comer.  Minutes later, Stillie, when well placed, was given neat pass from Gardiner but the inside man shot past.  The Rovers returned to the attack and McEwan, when close in, shot past.  Minutes later Bums held Kearney’s fast shot with confidence.
     The Rovers were the faster moving combination and had dangerous raiders in wingers Kearney and Leek.  Clever play by the Athletic carried the ball into the Rovers’ danger area and Donaldson put the homesters in the lead when he shot into the corner of the net from close in, minutes before the interval.  Play was fast and keen after the restart and both defences were kept busy.  In a Rovers attack, Burns covered himself with glory when he saved at the feet of McEwan and minutes later when he tipped Kearney’s fierce shot over the bar for a corner.  Athletic took up the running and after clever forward play, Stillie increased his team’s lead when he shot fiercely into the net from thirty yards.
     Rodgers and Bunting, Athletic’s half-backs, were injured and had to change places with wingers Gardiner and Crawford.  Despite this handicap, Athletic continued to apply pressure and Gray, after cleverly beating two defenders, shot over.  Minutes later, a Donaldson header struck the post.  Athletic went further ahead when Bunting shot into the net from a Gardiner corner.  The Rovers made ground on the right after this and were awarded a penalty for an infringement but Milligan shot over from the spot.  Minutes later, Burns held Kearney’s grand shot confidently.  Both teams never slackened up and the closing minutes, the Rovers received their crumb of comfort when Morgan netted from close in.
     The game was a real thriller from beginning to end.  Athletic had to fight every inch of the way to achieve the victory.  Both sides scorned scoring chances the first half.  Despite the injuries to Rodger and Bunting, Athletic more than held their own in the second half and deserved to win.  Athletic had grand players in Burns, Ballantyne. Reilly, Gray and Stillie while the Rovers were well served by Black, Kearney, McEwan and Leck.  On Saturday first, Athletic travel to Tollcross where they meet Vale of Clyde in a Central League fixture.
     The teams were:
Bellshill Athletic - Burns; Ballantyne, Sievewright; Riley, Bunting, Rodger; Crawford, Stillie, Gray, Donaldson and Gardiner.
Ardrossan Winton Rovers - Frew; Milligan, Millar; Morgan, Black, Scollan; Kearney; Donnelly, McEwan, Anderson and Leck.
     The referee was J Docherty of Glasgow.
            Bellshill Speaker and Mid-Lanarkshire Gazette, 7 March 1952