Arthurlie boss demanding more from his side after Irvine win

Lie registered their first victory since February thanks to goals from Dan McKay and David Reid as they edged out 12th placed Irvine Victoria at Dunterlie Park on Saturday.

It was almost a perfect start for the hosts when Del McNab came close but it was the visitors who opened the scoring 25 minutes in when a long ball over the top caught Liam Mushet off guard which allowed Ross McKenzie the space and time to coolly lift it over James Digney in the Arthurlie goal. That effort rattled off the woodwork but the midfielder was first to react, bundling home his own rebound.

The home side levelled proceedings right at the break after McKay refused to give up on what looked like a lost cause in the Vics area, racing to beat Martin McDonald before poking it past the keeper on the stroke of half-time.

Digney had to be alert right from the off after the restart as Vics almost restored their lead through Gabe Skeoch from close-range.

At the other end, Josh Payne set it up for McNab but he couldn’t quite get his effort on target as Vics held on. 

Arthurlie stuttered to a crucial three points against Irvine Vics at the weekend

Arthurlie did eventually get their noses in front before the hour mark when a ball into the box appeared to catch Reid off balance, but as he fell he managed to wrap his foot around the ball to slam home a superb half-volley past the helpless McDonald.

Lie were made to sweat at the death with last-gasp tackles from Lee Roulston and Tony Etherson and a fine stop from Digney helping them clinch the points.

And while Sinclair was pleased with maximum points, he insisted it could have been achieved with a bit more style and substance. 

He said: “I thought we played quite well. Irvine were difficult down there and they are a decent side but for us it was all about winning, especially after the last four weeks and last week especially as that was a big disappointment for us but I feel we started well and got the ball down and tried to play.

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“But we tried to play and get the ball down on a bobbly pitch. We rode our luck a little bit in the first-half and it was the same early in the second but we started well and wanted to use the width a bit more and get the ball in the box which we didn’t do.

“When we did do that, the ball in the final third was poor and Irvine had created a few chances by throwing bodies forward. I’m happy to come away with the win but in all honesty we could’ve played better. 

“We need to defend with a bit more ruthlessness and be more clinical at the top end but it was a good game and getting away with a win is the most important thing.

“Until somebody tells us we can’t get promoted then we’ll keep going and it keeps us hanging on. We need to keep winning and if we can get another 12 points then it’s up to everybody else to get more than that.”

READ MORE: Duncan Sinclair blasts 'rank rotten' Arthurlie after Darvel loss

Elsewhere, Arthurlie will be holding their AGM on April 24 in the Columba Club starting at 7pm and open to all season ticket holders.