ARTHURLIE and Benburb met at Dunterlie Park on Saturday already knowing their fate had been sealed in the Sectional League Cup — as both were already out.

But with it being the last game before the league season starts on Saturday it meant starting places were up for grabs for the big kick off.

Arthurlie started well and four minutes in Craig Palmer saw his effort well taken by visiting keeper Robert Triopolous. The home side looked hungry early on and four minutes later David MacKay played a great ball over the top to Chris Dallas who’s first touch took him left and his shot back across goal went just wide from a tight angle.

Just before the quarter hour Arthurlie’s possession told. Gavin Rushford, playing in midfield, sent a great ball wide to Eddie McTernan who did well to get beyond Kyle Wright before crossing for Gary SMITH to hit home the opener.

McTernan had an effort of his own soon after. As the clock headed towards the half hour came the goal of the game and possibly a candidate for goal of the season.

A cross from the left saw the ball go slightly behind Ryan Livingston but he leapt salmon like before hitting a fantastic scissor kick past the helpless Michael White to level the scores.

Steven TART restored Arthurlie’s lead on 35 minutes then five minutes later Scott Gair hit a sublime pass to Chris Dallas who turned his man before teeing up SMITH to notch his second of the game and fourth in two as the home side went two ahead.

Half-time: Arthurlie 3-1 Benburb. A quarter of an hour into the second half and White showed his break hadn’t effected his reflexes as he made a fantastic stop to deny Ryan Monan.

McTernan made way for Ryan McArdle and after 65 minutes, the latter latched onto another great ball from Rushford before feeding Ryan McGregor who hit a shot that forced Triopolous into a great fingertip save to deny the Dunterlie skipper.

Ryan Livingston and Lee Lockhart had efforts for the Bens as the visitors had the lion’s share of the play in the second half but they couldn’t find a way past White.

Arthurlie introduced Gary Carroll and Danny Burns for Smith and Dallas and while both had late efforts there was to be no more scoring and the game finished three goals to one in favour of the home side who will rue their defeat at St Anthony’s.

Arthurlie: White, Devlin, Palmer, Rushford, Gair, Tart, McTernan, McGregor, Smith, Dallas, MacKay.

Subs: Maxwell, McArdle, Burns, MacDonald, Carroll.