Barrhead News | Sport | Lie secure first home victory

Saturday, 22nd November, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 5th March, 2008 12:00

Lie secure first home victory

By Robert Burns

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Arthurlie 3 Beith 1

Arthurlie finally registered their first home league victory of the season.

Goals by Lee Sharp and a double from substitute John Bradford gave the home side a well earned 3-1 victory.

The gloss was somewhat taken off the result however after a horrific injury to ex ‘Lie favourite Steven Convery.

The home side got off to a great start when, after just three minutes, an in-swinging corner by Lee Sharp saw Robert Tiropolous in the Beith goal pay too much attention to the onrushing Brian Wardle and Eddie Annand. He totally misjudged a punch and the ball flew into the net to give Arthurlie the lead.

The first half was more about battling qualities that silky soccer given the heavy underfoot conditions and the real threat of relegation to both teams.

The highlight of the first half came on 30 minutes when a great run by Kenny McLean saw the Beith forward beat a couple of ‘Lie defenders before releasing Craig Palmer just outside the home penalty box.

Palmer took the ball in his stride before ghosting past Wardle and unleashing an unstoppable low left foot drive past James Evans into the bottom corner.

That was to be the final goalmouth action for the first half which ended all one apiece.

At the beginning of the second half John Johnston went down inside the Beith box but his appeal for a spot kick fell on deaf ears.

McLean had an effort for Beith on 10 minutes before Arthurlie made the change 5 minutes later when John Bradford replaced Eddie Annand.

Beith made a change themselves with just over 10 minutes to go when Steven Convery took to the field for the first time game at Dunterlie since leaving two seasons ago. Almost immediately after taking to the field the “Con Man” burst through the middle of the Arthurlie defence but as he bore down on goal he collapsed in a heap as his studs caught in the turf as he was about to shoot. A stretcher was required to take the former ‘Lie favourite from the field and later reports confirmed the worst as Stevie was diagnosed with a double leg break.

A Sharp corner was headed home by Bradford to put the home side back in front before Bradford again secured all three points with a tap in, again from a Sharp pass, in the dying seconds.

The victory and three points gained by the Barrhead side were to prove even more vital as news that fellow relegation candidates Bellshill, Shotts and Neilston had all won.

The league is now completely wide open at both ends of the table and only a very brave man would predict who will win the title and who will go down.

Another tough game lies ahead for Arthurlie this Saturday when they visit Scottish Cup quarter finalists and cup second favourites Glenafton at Loch Park New Cumnock 2pm kick off.

On the transfer front, Arthurlie have signed 20 year old goalkeeper Peter Shaw on loan from Dumbarton until the end of the season. Peter comes in to put pressure on current “keepers” James Evans and Mark Farrell.

Ian Wilson who had arrived at Arthurlie after being released by Pollok earlier in the season to act as cover has left the club.

Due to work commitments Ian felt he could no longer commit to the level of training and commitment required at this level and leaves with the best wishes of the club.

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