ARTHURLIE met Dumbarton 20s at Dunterlie Park on Saturday morning in a game that gave some fringe players some valuable game time.

The match also gave some of the club’s academy the chance to show supporters what they have got in their first outings for the Barrhead side.

Four of the clubs 21’s side played a part in the victory over the young Sons side. Blair Reid started the game at left back while Scott Wilson, Martin McCurran, and Jamie Gray came on in the second half to make their debuts.

Although Arthurlie were on top, the sides had their share of possession without really threatening either goal — but that was to change just after the 20 minute mark.

Craig Holmes burst down the left, gliding past defenders as if they weren’t there. He moved inside and looked to be crowded out but somehow managed to slip a great ball through to Gary Smith who unselfishly rolled the ball across the six yard box for Danny BURNS to fire home the opener.

Minutes later the impressive Holmes was off again, this time his ball inside was hit on the turn by Burns, but his effort was well saved.

The home side’s goal wasn’t threatened until eight minutes from the break when Zander Cowie did fantastically to use his feet to block a point-blank downward header and clear the danger.

Half-time: Arthurlie 1-0 Dumbarton Into the second half and Smith chased down what looked to be a lost cause on the right. He managed to get to the ball right on the line before he whipped over a great cross that was met by Kieron MAXWELL who nodded home from an unmarked position at the back post.

Just before the 55th minute the young Dumbarton side pulled a goal back, a mix up in the Arthurlie defence gave the Sons’ right winger a chance to hit a low ball across goal which Alan Murdoch deflected into his own net as he slid in attempting to clear.

Now both sides started to ring the changes with players coming and going but it didn’t seem to upset the rhythm of the home side who almost added their third of the afternoon.

Maxwell did well before feeding McTernan who flashed a great effort just wide.

With 10 minutes to go Arthurlie were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, Stuart MacDonald took and found the head of Ryan McGREGOR who netted to make it three one.

In the dying seconds of the game another header at the other end, this time from Stuart Fyfe ended the scoring as the game finished three two in favour of the home side.

Arthurlie: Cowie, Devlin, Blair, MacDonald, Murdoch, Rushford, McTernan, Maxwell, Smith, Burns, Holmes.

Subs: McGregor, McArdle, Wilson, McCurran, Gray and Tart.