Late strike seals it for Johnstone
Scott Arthur keeps the goals coming
Craig Ritchie
Scott Arthur’s rich vein of scoring continued as Johnstone Burgh sealed a crucial win at Keanie Park.
A double from Arthur and a secondhalf strike from Anton Moy was enough to confirm the points at the expense of Lanark United.
Boss Colin Smith heaped praise on his side following another dominant home performance as they made it two from two at Keanie in the league.
The Burgh co-manager has already achieved promotion from this division two years ago as Burgh went up alongside Rossvale.
But Smith insists that his side will need to be at their very best if they are to replicate the free-scoring side that featured the likes of Jason Hardie and Sean Fitzharris.
He said: “The boys were fantastic on Saturday and they could have been even further ahead at half-time had we taken more of the opportunites that we had.
“We have bounced back from a couple of disappointing results, last week at Vale of Clyde was particularly hard to take because when you go down inside a minute the whole gameplan goes out of the window.
“We are just taking each game as it comes just now, we are still finding our feet but it is a very tight division and we are only a win away from the teams at the top of the league.
“It is a long season but as long as we can stay in the mix then I have every hope that we can mount a challenge.
“We are scoring goals and it is just a case of trying to keep them out at the other end.
“Our home form looks good and if we can keep that going then we will be fine. It is unusual for us that our home form is better than our away but it is what it is and it gives us hope for the rest of the season.
“But more performances like we had on Saturday are what we are after and I hope we can carry that into next week.”
Johnstone Burgh took a first- half lead when ex-Renfrew striker Arthur converted from the spot following a handball inside the box.
Burgh continued to dominate but were unable to extend their advantage before the end of the half despite numerous opportunities.
The hosts continued to look for goals in the second period, and Arthur was in the right place at the right time when a David Anderson effort cannoned off him and ended up in the back of the Lanark net for 2-0.
The visitors quickly pulled a goal back but Moy answered back for the hosts as he drove in on goal before cooly slotting past the keeper. A late strike set up a tense finale – but Burgh were on hand to seal all three points.