ARTHURLIE finally broke down a stubborn Maryhill side as they began their defence of the West of Scotland Cup with a 2-1 victory at Dunterlie Park on Saturday.

Arthurlie flew out the traps and went ahead in under two minutes when Gary CARROLL slammed home Chris Dallas’s cross to open the scoring.

Many would have thought that start would have set the Barrhead side up for an easy victory but that wasn’t to be the case.

Less than two minutes later the game was level, a ball into the home defence saw Michael White’s clearance come off Ryan McGregor before hitting Scott Gair square on the face and going over the line. Chris Dallas had a goal ruled out for offside soon after as the lower league side started to come more into the game matching their super league opponents all over the pitch.

Just before the 10 minute mark a Maryhill corner broke to Andy Banks who hit a screamer of an effort that White somehow managed to palm away before he finally cleared the danger as he punched the resulting corner out of the danger zone.

White had to be alert again this time from a risky back header from McGregor and in the dying seconds of the first half it was Carroll who forced Grant hay at the other end into a decent save.

Half-time: Arthurlie 1-1 Maryhill Into the second half and good work from Mark Blakey set up Carroll for another opportunity but once again it was saved by the impressive Hay.

Craig Holmes and Gary Smith were introduced for Dallas and Danny Burns as Arthurlie went in search of the winner and with six minutes remaining they got it.

Holmes fed McGregor down the right and his cross was met by the head of SMITH who gave Hay no chance as his effort flew past the keeper.

Eddie McTernan was replaced late on by David MacKay as Arthurlie saw out the match.

After the game the Arthurlie supporters, who regularly take out match day hospitality, presented Gavin Rushford with their man of the match award.

Barrhead News MOM: Gary Carroll Arthurlie: White, Rushford, Blakey, Tart, Gair, MacDonald, McTernan, McGregor, Carroll, Dallas, Burns.

Subs: Holmes, Smith, Maxwell, Cowie, MacKay.