Barrhead News | Sport | Glens' grief

Saturday, 22nd November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 13th March, 2008 12:00

Glens' grief

By Frank Cassidy

Glenafton 1 Arthurlie 1

THEY say a game lasts 90 minutes but not this one as the referee added on more time than anyone could believe which allowed Glenafton to take a share of the points.

Last week’s match winner, John Bradford, along with fellow striker Craig Malcolm were unavailable for Saturdays game and ‘Lie manager Mark Cameron made an inspired decision in pushing Sean Winter further forward to support Eddie Annand.

Annand had the first opportunity of the match after eight minutes but dithered inside the Glenafton box and the ball was cleared.

Just three minutes later Stephen Gallacher found himself deep inside the Glens half and laid the ball back into Craig Baxter’s path.

The big defender, who seems to have found his form again, fired in a cross come shot which clipped the crossbar before going for a bye-kick.

David Gormley had the home side’s first chance on 12 minutes when he beat Baxter to a long ball but James Evans in the ‘Lie goal was alert to the danger and saved well at his feet.

John Johnston tried his luck from a free kick on 20 minutes but saw his effort touched over.

Lee Sharp took the corner and Alan McFadden showed his strikers instincts to flick the ball past Gary Mathews and in — off the underside of the crossbar.

Arthurlie were totally dominant at this moment playing their best football of the season and more goals looked certain. Sharp had an effort from a free kick on 25 minutes which was easily dealt with.

Ten minutes later Gallacher received the first yellow card of the match, which was to prove costly for the defender as just a minute later he collided with Stevie Agnew of the Glens and the players landed in a heap.

There didn’t seem anything in it but the referee flashed another yellow card at the stopper and his game was over.

The sides were level again as only four minutes later David Gormley was shown a straight red for kicking out at Martin Hughes off the ball.

Sean Winter had an effort just before the half time whistle that didn’t trouble the Glens’ keeper and the sides went in with Arthurlie one ahead.

The second half started quietly and it was the 61st minute before the first chance. Martin Hughes fought hard in the centre of the park to win the ball then sent McFadden on his way.

He skipped past three defenders before sending over a cross that was headed behind.

However, the resulting corner came to nothing and Glenafton started to come into the game.

On 68 minutes the home side forced three corners in succession but couldn’t find a way past the ‘Lie defence.

A minute later another Glens’ corner was headed clear by Baxter; Johnston took the ball for a run before playing in McFadden.

Faddy skipped past the last defender before firing a low ball across the face of goal but alas there were no takers.

Evans was called into action on the half hour making a good stop then four minutes later made a good save from a Frank Haggerty effort.

A minute later the homes side’s chances of salvaging anything from the match looked over after a rush of blood to the head by Stevie McGregor.

Winter and McGregor tangled on the halfway line and as the two players lay on the ground he kicked out at the ‘Lie man.

A foolish act in normal circumstances but the straight red means that McGregor along with fellow red card culprit Gormley will miss the Glens Scottish Cup Quarter final tie on Saturday.

Johnston and McFadden both went close for Arthurlie before Haggerty had an effort for Glenafton.

With the supporters’ making for the exits Arthurlie had a great chance to wrap up all three points when fellow substitute’s Steve Aitken and Davie Williams combined to set up McFadden but he couldn’t repeat his earlier finishing and the home defence cleared.

Now very deep into injury time, I made it about six minutes over, the Arthurlie defence failed to properly clear their lines and ended up giving away a sloppy free kick 20 yards out.

Ex Pollok man Haggerty, who had come on as a second half sub, lined up the ball and sent a great effort high past the despairing Evans.

That was to be the last act of a very entertaining match which finished one all.

After the game Arthurlie Coach ,Alan Shields, said: “To come away with only a point was very disappointing.

“In terms of the desire and endeavour our lads can’t be faulted, after the game, in the dressing room it felt like a defeat and the boys were hurting, this shows how far we have come in a short space of time.

“There were some fantastic individual performances and collectively we were solid, defending well from the front and also playing some great football in terrible conditions.

“It’s now up to Mark, Roland and myself to prepare the lads for Saturday’s game which is another big test and nothing less than three points will do.

Bellshill have been taking points off all teams round about them, so our boys will need to be up for the fight, and this should be another cracker

Man of the match was John Johnston.

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