JOHN SCORES ON ARTHURLIE DEBUT

Published 22 Jul 2009 17:19

The Dunterlie faithful were given their first chance to see the Arthurlie team taking shape for the new season, as Cumnock were the visitors on Saturday.

The three confirmed new signings for Lie were included in the starting 11.

Neil Parry in the home goal, Callan Adam in midfield, and John Bradford took his place up front.

The game started in typical friendly fashion, as both sides traded possession, without many real chances.

Callan Adam had the first real effort on goal, as his long-range free-kick was well saved, on six minutes.

Chances were few and far between, but Arthurlie tried to play football on the superb Dunterlie playing surface.

Great wing play from Joe Andrew saw Callan Adam get the break of the ball, and his powerful shot flew narrowly wide, on 16 minutes.

Cumnock were always dangerous and on 18 minutes Gareth Armstrong saw a header deflected over for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Armstrong found himself free at the back post and had the simplest of tasks to head the ball home, giving Cumnock the lead.

On 29 minutes, Joe Andrew should have levelled matters, as he received a knock-on from John Bradford.

Andrew went one-on-one, but his shot crept narrowly wide.

On 36 minutes, James Lundie raced down the right wing and his cut back allowed John Johnston to fire goal wards.

Johnston's shot was blocked by a Cumnock defender - with what looked to be his hand - but the pleas of the home team were waved away and the corner was given.

Cumnock looked to have doubled their advantage on 40 minutes, as Gareth Armstrong tapped in from close range.

The ball broke to Armstrong, after a scramble in the box, but as he slotted home, the assistant's flag went up for offside.

However, moments before the interval, Cumnock were two ahead.

A low, hard free-kick somehow managed to get through to the back-post, where Paul Gordon was on hand for the simplest of finishes.

Arthurlie started the second half brighter, and on 55 minutes, Sean Winter latched onto a defensive error, but the midfielder hesitated, and possession was lost, before he could get a shot away.

The home side were soon to be back in the game, as John Bradford scored on his return to Dunterlie in the sky blue and white, on 58 minutes.

An Arthurlie attack saw a deflected cross break to Bradford, and the striker was well-placed to fire in, for a simple finish.

Arthurlie were on the ascendancy now, and on 68 minutes, Stephen Anderson, a second half substitute, played in Andrew.

Andrew looked set to fire the hosts level, but the striker waited too long and could only muster a weak effort goal-wards, which was dealt with easily by Derek Barnes.

Cumnock then hit Lie on the counter-attack, as Ian Cashmore latched onto a defence splitting ball, but his low finish rolled narrowly wide of the post.

Arthurlie were creating the more chances at this stage and Callan Adam went close from around 25 yards, only to see his long range shot turned round the post, on 70 minutes.

The Barrhead side were soon level, as Stephen Anderson turned his defender well, and slotted home, low past the keeper on 72 minutes.

Afterwards, both teams played out the match, without making many more chances.

Both sets of players didn't want to loose, but didn't create enough to win the game.

A draw was a fair result, as both teams played their part in an entertaining pre-season friendly.

ARTHURLIE: Parry, Lundie, Trialist, Gallagher, Higgins, McLay, Adam, Johnston, Winter, Bradford, Andrew. Subs: Anderson, Malcolm, McKeown, Duncan, Trialist.

Arthurlie played an Alloa XI last night (Tuesday) just after the News went to press. However, we will bring you details of that match along with Saturday's tie against East Region cracks Linlithgow Rose, kick off 2pm at Dunterlie Park Barrhead, next week.

Season tickets will again be on sale this Saturday, adults £40, £20 for senior citizens, and £10 for under 16's.

Also pitch side boards are still available for sponsorship.

For £10 a month you can company pitch side while at the same time support your local club, enquiries to Iain Robertson via email iainrobbo@hotmail.com or speak to any member of the committee on match days.

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This article appeared in Barrhead News 22 Jul 09

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