When the old Central and Ayrshire leagues merged for season 2002/03 Arthurlie missed out, having finished in seventh place the previous season.

That final Central League campaign saw the top six sides moving to the newly-formed Super League. 

Promotion in the first season means that from season 2003/04 Arthurlie, alongside Auchinleck Talbot, are the only two ever-
presents in the West Region’s top division.

With reorganisation coming next season, Arthurlie are in grave danger of missing out on the newly-formed 16 team top league.

Indeed, Monday night’s 3-0 defeat to Hurlford United, which followed an 8-1 mauling at the hands of Beith Juniors last Wednesday, confirmed their place in the play-offs.

In the play-offs Arthurlie will meet one of Renfrew, Cambuslang Rangers, Troon, Largs, Irvine Meadow XI, or Rutherglen Glencairn in a two-legged play-off to decide who goes up and down.

There were changes yet again in the line-up as Lie met Hurlford, with Robert Storrie coming into central defence, while Vincent Newlands was handed his first start for the club after a couple of appearances from the bench.

Although neither side took control of the game in the early stages, the visitors always looked likely to open the scoring as the back five of Arthurlie sat in and allowed Hurlford time and space to come on to them.

It was no surprise, then, when Ross Robertson, from what seemed an offside position, opened the scoring seven minutes from the break.

Two minutes later and Grant Hay, whose performances have been one of the brighter points of what has been a door season, made a great block to deny Watt. Then, right on half-time, a Caddiss header was straight at the Arthurlie number one.

In the second half, a free-kick on the edge of the area from Caddiss saw the Lie defensive wall do its job before Ferguson ballooned the rebound high and wide . 

It was one-way traffic now as wave after wave of attacks came. Watt gathered in midfield and ran straight at the home defence before laying the ball off to Robertson and his flick set Mitchell free on the right, but when he fired over a dangerous cross Michael Daly managed to head clear. 

Arthurlie’s first real attempt on goal came after 60 minutes when Jamie Maclennan’s shot-cum-cross went straight into the hands of Brown.

Hay had to be alert soon after to deny, firstly, Fisher and then Robertson 
again.

But it was only a matter of time before the Ayrshire side grabbed another goal and it was Robertson again, this time from the spot, who doubled his tally and his side’s advantage. 

Ferguson added another late on to put a more realistic scoreline to the game as Arthurlie finished their home league campaign with another defeat.

It means the team have picked up a paltry nine points from a possible 33 at Dunterlie.