ARTHURLIE secured another victory as they continued their pre-season build-up on Saturday when a goal from Gary Smith secured a win over Yoker Athletic at Dunterlie Park.

The visitors started well and had Arthurlie under pressure early on, from one of their attacks Arthurlie broke at speed. Ryan Deas fed Smith on the right, Smith went past one man before crossing deep to the back post where Ryan McGregor got his head to the ball but his effort went just wide.

Arthurlie upped the tempo and some of their play was a joy to watch. Just after the 20-minute mark Gavin Rushford and Graham Girvan combined with the latter feeding Smith, the ball was sent over to the back post where Darren Gribben controlled before shooting which Yoker goalkeeper Liam Campbell did well to block.

In the second half Smith had a decent effort early doors but couldn’t find the target, the usual changes took place and after 12 second half minutes Martin Curren gathered midway inside the Yoker half before setting off at pace skipping past tackle after tackle, just outside the area he saw Campbell off his line and dinked the ball over the keeper but it sailed just over.

Debutant Arthurlie keeper Grant Hay, who had replaced Kevin Macklin at the break, saved well soon after then minutes later produced a fantastic double save getting a hand to a header following a Yoker corner then blocking the follow up shot from close range.

From the resulting corner Arthurlie broke again at pace and Curren was involved as he latched onto the ball just inside the Yoker penalty area before forcing Campbell into a good save.

Twenty minutes into the second half and Curren gathered on the right before cutting back inside and sending the ball over where Smith tried an overhead kick which went just past.

After 75 minutes Arthurlie finally took the lead. Deas hit a good shot on goal from a tight angle but Campbell managed to block it, as the ball went into the air McGregor headed across goal where Smith was lurking to nod home from close range.

Arthurlie: Macklin, Girvan, Palmer, Chisholm, Rushford, Nimmo, Deas, McGregor, Smith, Gribben, Turner (T). Subs: Gair, Morrison, Convery, Curran, Hay, and Thomson (T).

Last Tuesday Louisa Nimmo the wife of Arthurlie captain Ian gave birth to a daughter who has been named Cary and we would like to offer our congratulations to the family.