High flying Lie bag three points

Published 22 Apr 2010 10:07 0 Comments

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CELEBRATIONS: The players were in buoyant mood after this result

By Stephen Connolly - Bellshill 2 Arthurlie 4

ARTHURLIE kept up their excellent run of form, as they travelled to face Bellshill, on a very poor surface at the Sir Matt Busby Sports Complex.

The hosts started brightly, and McVittie almost put Bellshill ahead, straight from the kick-off.

The winger set up a left wing raid before striking the outside of the post, as the Barrhead men suffered an early scare.

The Lie soon settled into the game, but opted for route-one football, as they struggled to adapt to the woeful artificial surface at West End Park.

Bellshill were desperate for Premier League points, in order to secure their safety, and deservedly took the lead from the penalty spot on 30 minutes.

Dimilta was causing havoc down the left wing, and was tripped by Stephen Gallagher in the area. Up stepped Crozier who rolled the ball down the middle to beat the helpless Parry.

Arthurlie's performances have shown grit and determination on a number of occasions this season, and it didn't take too long for the Lie to level matters.

A looping cross-ball was won in the box by Craig Malcolm, and his knock-down was perfect for Sean Winter to finish from close-range after 39 minutes.

The leveller seemed to rattle the home side and the Lie were soon ahead after 41 minutes.

Wilson, in the Bellshill goal, produced a poor kick-out from a back-pass, and Callan Adam caught the clearance on the volley from some 35 yards out to claim a strike which had the supporters talking about goal of the season.

The match was effectively over as a contest a minute before the break as Arthurlie opened up a two-goal advantage. A mix-up in the Bellshill defence resulted in a stramash in the box, and Craig Malcolm's determination won the break of the ball, and the striker duly lashed home from four yards.

The reverse fixture at Dunterlie produced a hard-fought, tight game, and the visiting support thought that the first goal of the second half could have been crucial in this match.

The Hill were desperate to grab a point from the jaws of defeat, and they pressed the game well from the start of the second period.

The blustery conditions and terrible playing surface contributed to a scrappy second half, and despite Bellshill having slightly more possession, they struggled to break-down Arthurlie's backline.

On 70 minutes, Crozier had a shot deflected over from the edge of the box, and despite the resulting corner coming to nothing, the relegation-threatened Bellshill were going all out.

It was game-on after 75 minutes, when Bellshill duly pegged a goal back through Keiran McAnespie.

But any thoughts of a late comeback were dashed when Arthurlie rounded off another great win four minutes later.

Counter-attacking football was the order of the day, at this stage, and Craig Malcolm's break from midfield allowed him to roll in Winter, and the midfielder's finish was cool and composed.

In the 83rd minute, Bellshill's defeat was all but confirmed, as Casey received his second yellow card, after a tangle with James Lundie.

The Arthurlie stalwart came off worst, with what looked like a serious injury, but it is hoped that Lundie's injury is nothing too major.

A great result for Arthurlie on a very difficult surface, allowed the Barrhead side to maintain their lofty position of second placed in the league table.

Arthurlie host Clydebank at home tonight (Wednesday), in the second round of the Central League Cup. Kick-off at Dunterlie is 6.45pm.

Also, on Saturday, the Lie host Lanark United in the Stagecoach Premier League (kick-off 2pm).

Arthurlie: Neil Parry, Stephen Gallacher, Steven Crawford, James Lundie, Frank McKeown, John McLay, Sean Winter, John Johnston, Stephen Anderson, Craig Malcolm, Callan Adam.

Subs: Joe Andrew, Dave Williams, Pedram Ardallany, Kieran Cannon, Steven Bonar, Tam Murdoch, Alan Waddell.

The Arthurlie AGM takes place in the Arthurlie Social Club on Wednesday April 28 at 7pm, season ticket holders only.

This article appeared in Barrhead News 21 Apr 10

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