Glenafton dash Arthurlie’s hopes

Glenafton Athletic maintained their hold over Arthurlie following a 1-1 draw at Dunterlie Park on Saturday.

It’s now 11 games and a full five years since Arthurlie last tasted victory over the Ayrshire side – with eight defeats and three draws in that time.

The hosts got off to a great start when they went ahead after nine minutes, Marc McKenzie on the right showed great feet before putting the ball into the Glens penalty area. Chris Lennon controlled the ball with the outside of his foot and when falling back managed to hit a shot past Brian McGarrity to claim his first Arthurlie goal.

Former‘Lie striker Joe Andrew went close for the Glens at one end then Steven Weir at the other as both sides looked for the next goal.

But Arthurlie’s hopes took a knock when Michael Daly had to be replaced on the half hour,

Five minutes into the second half and Lennon got past his man again before crossing for Jamie Lindsay who shot over – but it was Glenafton who grabbed the equaliser.

With 53 minutes on the clock a free kick from Conor Lynass was blocked by the Arthurlie wall. David Gray collected the deflection before feeding Andrew inside the box and as the striker held off his man before rolling the ball back to Gray and he guided a low left footed effort past Grant Hay to level the match.

Arthurlie almost got their noses back in front straight away, McKenzie gathered from Lennon before putting the ball wide to Weir. He steadied himself before swinging a great ball over that found McKenzie’s head but his glancing header was brilliantly tipped over by McGarrity.

There were strong claims for a penalty soon after when Craig Menzies looked to have hauled Lindsay down inside the area but play was waved on.

Hay had to be at his best to get down low and deny a great effort from Chris Dallas but the exArthurlie man will have nightmares about his miss soon after.

A long clearance from defence saw the bounce of the ball catch out Hay and when the ball went over his head Dallas was in with the goal at his mercy but somehow hit the ball wide of the goal.

As Arthurlie were the better side first half it’s true to say that Glenafton edged the second period and went close on a couple of occasions through Andrew but the last clear chance came for the home side with four minutes remaining but McGarrity somehow got his fingers to a low shot from Kieran McAleenan to touch the ball past for a corner.

Arthurlie: Hay, Girvan, Brennan, Chisholm, Gair, Spence, McKenzie, McAleenan, Daly, Weir, Lennon.

Subs: Graham, Lindsay, Wilson, Walker and Nugent.