LIE UP THE ANT-E IN CUP

Published 19 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

Arthurlie 3 St Anthony's 1

DEBUTANT John Paul Boyle, who signed last week from Irvine Meadow, helped keep Lie’s defence of the Sectional League Cup on track with a win over St Anthony’s.

The home side started brightly and after 10 minutes a John Johnston free-kick was met by Robert Walker whose bullet header looked a certain goal until Jon Connolly in the Ants goal somehow managed to palm it away.

Just after the half-hour Connolly was the saviour again when he saved from John McLay’s low shot from a Steven McKeown cross.

Five minutes later and it was McLay with another low shot that brought the best out of Connolly again. The home side could not find a way through though and the teams went in level at the break.

It seemed that it would take something special to beat Connolly with the form he was in.

And Johnston provided that special something after 57 minutes when he let loose a thunderbolt from a Denis McLaughlin lay off that left Connolly helpless to stop it. With their noses in front the home side pressed for a second and McKeown hit a great effort after 24 minutes when teed up by McLaughlin.

On the hour mark substitute John Bradford sprung the offside trap to get in on goal but his weak effort was easily saved.

Seven minutes later he made amends though when he met a Michael Keenan free-kick at the back post to send a perfectly placed header past the despairing Connolly. With time running out Arthurlie made it three when McLaughlin took a fantastic through ball and steadied himself before sending a low shot into the corner of the net.

There was still time for the visitors to get a consolation however and Fuller made the final score 3-1 with a counter in injury time. Arthurlie meet Pollok tonight, Wednesday kick off 6.45pm, at Dunterlie in their final group game of this year’s cup knowing nothing less than a win will do.

Level on points with near neighbours Neilston who are away to St Anthony’s tonight and the group could be decided on goal difference to see who progresses to the knock out stages.

On Saturday, Arthurlie open their league campaign with an away game against current Super League champions Beith, kick-off 2pm.

Tweet

This article appeared in Barrhead News 18 Aug 10

Follow @barrheadnews

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