Lie are spot on against Glens

Published 2 Sep 2010 09:30 0 Comments

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By Mick Hydes - Arthurlie 2 Rutherglen Glencairn 0

ARTHURLIE followed up last week’s tough encounter at Beith by clocking up a hard fought three points with an opening home win over new-look Glencairn at Dunterlie.

Manager Mark Cameron used the squad well with three substitutions gaining match time and now have a healthy four points from the opening two fixtures.

Cameron said: “At times we have played better and lost games like that so overall it was a dogged performance and great to keep another clean sheet. John-Paul Boyle could have had three or four goals today.

“But we looked comfortable throughout at 2-0 and we kept it tight at the back to build up the confidence in the camp.”

With regard to the two opening match clean sheets Cameron added: “Dave Merriman has brought a calmness to the back line and his experience and stability is invaluable.”

The Barrhead side looked to have secured the victory as early as the 21st minute by racing into a two goal lead with John-Paul Boyle’s close range effort after Michael Keenan had headed into his direction from a well-worked John Johnston free-kick and two minutes later Frank McKeown coolly converted a penalty after Denis McLaughan had been fouled by Chris Merryless on the edge of the box.

Lie were quickly into their stride and a good partnership is building up front between the new pairing of McLaughlan and John-Paul Boyle with Alan Colquhoun kept busy in the Glencairn goal.

He was forced into beating away a Boyle effort in the opening exchanges in a move initiated by the double act.

Things could have worked out very differently however as just before the opening goal Lorn Gibson had a glorious opportunity when left unmarked after ghosting in from the left flank but he slashed his effort wide of the mark for the visitors.

Arthurlie remained in control during the second period with Glencairn not posing too much of a goal threat and Boyle cracked a post following a flowing move as Lie utilised their squad by constantly giving the visitors something to think about to cement a great start to the league campaign. Boyle believed he is building a great partnership with his fellow Dunterlie front men.

And he said: “The partnership is developing and we are getting a better understanding of each other’s play and we work on things together in training.

“The partnership will develop as we play more games.”

Arthurlie: Parry; Miller, Merriman, F. McKeown, Walker; S. McKeown, Keenan, Johnston, McLay (Adam); McLaughlin (Bradford), Boyle (Lundie); unused subs; Crawford, Bonar, Ardelany, Bisset Arthurlie’s next game is on Saturday September 4 against Auchinleck Talbot at Dunterlie (kick-off 2pm).

This article appeared in Barrhead News 01 Sep 10

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