‘Lie gaffer put in seven-goal

Ogilvie praises troops for real team effort

Craig Ritchie

New Arthurlie gaffer Billy Ogilvie admits he must be glutton for punishment after the Barrhead side put him through the ringer during his Dunterlie debut.

Ogilvie took his spot in the dugout for the first time as Arthurlie looked to seal their spot in the next round of the Scottish Cup, having taken the reins from Chris Mackie a fortnight ago.

Following a year out of the game, he was flung back in at the deep end for the cup replay. And it was out of the frying pan and in to the fire for the former East Kilbride manager as his side battled back from 3-1 down to set up a clash with Coupar Angus in the third round.

Marc McKenzie’s hat- trick and a Colin Spence wonder-goal sealed victory, leaving their new gaffer impressed with their efforts.

Ogilvie told Express Sport: “That is the sort of game you live for. I didn’t wonder what I was doing back in the dugout. I enjoyed the punishment.

“I could tell you every cliche I can think of, great advert for Junior football, game of two halves, and they would all be true.

“It was a real team effort and the boys deserve all the credit that will come their way – and rightfully so.

“The supporters were fantastic and their reception for me was great. Jimmy McQuade was in the dugout too to lend me a hand, with my assistant at a function and his experience was invaluable to me.

“All in all it was a brilliant afternoon and I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the day.”

Arthurlie had found themselves down 1-0 early on before McKenzie levelled from close range following a neat one-two on the edge of the box allowed him to slot home under the keeper.

However, the visitors were up for the tie and two quick-fire strikes saw them 3-1 ahead at the interval.

Ogilvie insists he didn’t need to give his players a stern talking at half-time, instead offering some words of encouragement to get them going. And it appeared to do the trick.

McKenzie was back on the scoresheet with a fine finish, bringing down the ball before firing home on the half-volley to pull his side back into the game.

And the winger then sealed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Colin Spence was sent sprawling after being brought down by a poor slide tackle from the Gow defender.

Arthurlie were now in the ascendancy, with Lesmahagow running out of gas. And the hosts finally got their rewards – and in stunning fashion.

Spence picked the ball up from a McKenzie short corner before taking a touch and picking his spot with an unstoppable curling effort into the top corner.

Ogilvie heralded the impact of McKenzie, adding: “It doesn’t matter of the colour of strip Marc wears, he doesn’t know how not to give 100 per cent.

“I had him when he was at Queen’s Park and he was some talent. He has been around a number of clubs and his experience is invaluable.

“He is just full on every single game and he is a huge assest to the club.”