Rampant Lie secure trophy

Published 22 Jul 2010 09:30 0 Comments

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Arthurlie began their pre-season campaign in fine style and also collected some silverware at the same time on Saturday.

Craigroyston, from the Edinburgh area, were the visitors for the inaugural J C Allan Challenge Cup, which will now be an annual event between the two clubs, who are both sponsored by the Barrhead company.

Michael Keenan and Stephen McKeown both made their first bow in front of the Arthurlie support while Steve Miller and David Merriman were still on holiday.

Arthurlie started well and took the lead after only six minutes.

A cross from Callan Adam on the left, saw John Bradford challenge the Craigroyston defence and the ball fell at the feet of McKeown who tapped home to mark his debut in style.

Eight minutes later it was 2-0 for the Lie, this time it was McKeown who provided for home captain John McLay to head home.

A minute later the visitors reduced the deficit, when a great threaded ball from Steven Manson split the home defence and David Anderson ran on to hit a low shot past the trialist in goal for Arthurlie.

The home side added to their tally on 35 minutes when a corner saw a scrimmage inside the box and John Bradford was on hand to fire home. With half time fast approaching Keenan saw a great effort go just wide as the home side went in at the break three one ahead.

Two minutes after the restart Keenan finally got the goal his performance merited when diving in he sent a header past the helpless Michael Atai in the away goal.

On 50 minutes it was five after Arthurlie were awarded a penalty and Frank McKeown duly fired the ball home.

Lie manager Mark Cameron made a series of changes after this goal as he freshened up his side.

But it was the visitors who scored next when Kris O'Neil tucked in a neat finish.

McLay then showed great awareness to send a shot into the net from almost on the half way line, but the 'goal' was ruled out for an infringement.

When Marc Robertson fired a penalty high past the Arthurlie trialist keeper with 20 minutes to go to make it 5-3 the away side had hopes of staging a grandstand finish. but it wasn't to be as Arthurlie saw the game out with ease.

There will obviously be stiffer tasks ahead for the Barrhead side in the coming months but Saturday's game was a good workout to start their pre-season with.

Debutants Keenan and McKeown both impressed as they both hit the target and look like they will be good additions to an already strong squad.

With David Merriman and Steven Miller still to make their debuts and Neil Parry to return the squad looks to be in great shape and competition for starting places with be fierce.

On Saturday Arthurlie continue their warm up schedule with a visit to Clydebank, kick-off 2pm.

Once again there has been no news on the transfer front, but with the season still a couple of weeks away their will probably be some more movements both in and out of the Barrhead club.

Arthurlie: Trialist, James Lundie, Steven Crawford, Frank McKeown, Trialist, John McLay, Stephen McKeown, Michael Keenan, John Bradford, Allan Waddell, Callan Adam.

Subs: John Johnston, Trialist, Trialist, Pedram Ardallany, Steven Bonar, Gavin Duncan.

Craigroyston: Trialist, Stephen Sproule, Trialist, Ryan McKenzie, Keith Pullen, Andrew Dewar, Steven Mawson, James Binnie, David Anderson, Trialist, Stuart Martin. Subs: Kevin Robertson, John Mawson, Steven Galloway, Marc Robertson, Kris O'Neil, Trialist.

This article appeared in Barrhead News 21 Jul 10

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