Silky Lie cruise to victory

Published 29 Apr 2010 10:54 0 Comments

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LANDMARK: Manager Mark Cameron hands over a bottle of champagne to Sean Winter as recognition of the 200th goal of his reign

By Robert Burns - Arthurlie 4 Lanark 1

Arthurlie continued their impressive league form against relegation threatened Lanark on Saturday.

But it was the visitors who started off well and after five minutes almost took the lead with a move straight off the training ground.

John Goodwin had a corner on the left but rather than cross into the area he cut the ball back to the edge of the penalty box where Davie McGuire hit an effort with the outside of his right foot that cannoned back off the 'Lie crossbar.

Five minutes later Arthurlie were forced into making a change.

Tam Murdoch sent a great threaded pass through the Lanark defence for Alan Waddell to run on to, but the forward fell to the ground clutching his leg and had to leave the field.

While the home side were down to 10 men Lanark took the lead when on 12 minutes John Osborne's slide rule pass through the heart of the home defence found ex Lie forward Alan McFadden who lifted the ball over Kieran Cannon in the home goal.

Craig Malcolm then took to the field in place of Waddell and within two minutes the game was level.

Arthurlie were awarded a free-kick outside the Lanark area and in another move that looked like it had come from the training ground they scored a quite fantastic goal.

Murdoch ran over the ball and kept his run going into the box to collect John McLay's threaded pass before whipping the ball across the face of goal for Sean Winter to hit what was the 200th Arthurlie goal scored since Mark Cameron took over at the club.

On 22 minutes the home side had strong claims for a penalty when Murdoch fed McLay inside the box.

The midfielder looked to be fouled but Malcolm took possession of the ball only to see his effort blocked.

Three minutes later the home side got their noses in front after another fantastic passage of play.

One touch pass and move football through the centre of the park ended with Malcolm playing the ball into Joe Andrews' feet and with his back to goal held off the Lanark defence before teeing up Malcolm to stroke home his 19th of the season.

The 34th minute of the first half saw Arthurlie go further ahead when great interplay again saw Stephen Bonar pass to Winter who fed Malcolm while continuing his run.

Malcolm judged the winger's movement perfectly to lay the ball into his path and as Winter crossed McLay was on hand to add the finishing touch.

The second half didn't hit the heights of the first as Arthurlie dominated while seemingly in cruise control.

That said Malcolm hit the woodwork twice, while substitute Callan Adam brought out a fantastic save from Craig Rowan in the Lanark goal.

Murdoch made way for John Bradford on the half hour while Malcolm had a goal chalked off eight minutes later. Right on full time Cannon, who was in goal in place of the injured Neil Parry, launched a kick-out the length of the field.

Bradford was on to the ball first and sent a well placed half volley past Rowan to end the scoring.

After the match two presentations were made, Steven Crawford received man of the match champagne from Gordon MacKenzie, who was representing Saturday's match sponsors MacKenzie Transport Group.

And Sean Winter also received a bottle of champagne to mark his landmark goal.

Arthurlie beat Kilbirnie 2-1 in a fantastic game on Monday night, in the club's last home match of the season. Pick up next week's paper for a full report.

Arthurlie: Cannon, Bonar, Williams, Crawford, McKeown, McLay, Winter, Johnston, Andrew, Murdoch, Waddell. Subs: Duncan, Adam, Ardallany, Bradford, Gallacher, Parry, Malcolm

Saturday sees an away tie against Vale of Clyde in the West of Scotland Cup (kick-off 2pm). Supporters are also reminded that the Arthurlie FC AGM takes place tonight (Wednesday) in the Arthurlie Social Club at 7pm, season ticket holders only.

This article appeared in Barrhead News 28 Apr 10

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