LIE WILL FIGHT THEM AT BEACHIE

Published 18 Nov 2009 15:55 0 Comments

Share this

ARTHURLIE boss Mark Cameron hopes his side don't suffer another humiliating defeat to Auchinleck Talbot on Saturday.

The Barrhead side were thrashed 4-0 in what was a rampant display by the Ayrshire men back in August with goals from Bryan Young, John Boyle, Bryan Slavin and Martin Hughes dumping the home side.

The Arthurlie players managed to put that devastating result behind them. They have lost only two games in 12 matches and lifted the Sectional League Cup in the process.

The Lie's clash with Kilbirnie on Saturday was postponed along with many of the junior fixture card but Cameron hopes his troops' progress won't be disrupted by the call off.

Cameron said: "We were not as slick as we should have been in that game against Auchinleck. We must be a more solid unit against them as they are a terrific side.

"We must produce a much better performance on Saturday if we are to take anything. Since that game we have had our ups and downs and I feel we have dropped some crucial points.

"But we really can't look back at those games. You have to be positive and look forward.

"The match with Kilbirnie was called off early on Saturday. It wasn't just our match that was called off and there was nothing we could do about it.

"Auchinleck will do their utmost to make sure the game goes ahead on Saturday as they have an important Scottish Cup tie the following week."

Arthurlie face a huge test on Saturday having not won at Beachwood Park in the league since January 11 2003 when goals from Bryan Smiths, Robert Downs, and Gary Madden secured a 3-0 victory.

The Barrhead side did however secure two draws at Talbot last season. A 1-1 draw in the Scottish Cup quarter final and a 2-2 encounter in the last league game of the season but this will be an acid test on how far Arthurlie have come this season.

The last meeting between the clubs ended with Talbot running out comfortable four-goal winners at Dunterlie Park earlier in the campaign and with the Ayrshire side unbeaten in league as well as both the Scottish Junior and senior cup, it underlines the task ahead for the

Lie.

The Arthurlie team have good reason to be confident as this season they have 16 points in the bag after 10 games. They are well ahead of last season's total at this stage where after ten games they had only amassed 11 points and it took them until January 10 to play the 10.

With supporters of the club have agreeing that the side is moving in the right direction slowly but surely, new arrivals from last season include goalkeeper Neil Parry who has been a revelation since he signed on at Dunterlie Park.

John Bradford's return to the club has seen him vie with Joe Andrew to partner Craig Malcolm in attack and he has weighed in with five goals so far.

Recent arrival Steven Bonnar looks like he will be a good addition to the engine room while Tam Murdoch continues on his return to full fitness after a long period out and will bring real quality to the starting eleven when he gets his match fitness up to the required level.

Kick-off is at 1.45pm and the Arthurlie Supporters' Club are running a bus to the game. For availability of seats contact the Arthurlie Social Club or check the official web site for updates www.arthurlie.com.

This article appeared in Barrhead News 18 Nov 09

Follow @barrheadnews

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.