High five for ‘Lie

Arthurlie are five alive after recording their fifth consecutive win in a 5-1 drubbing of Irvine Victoria.

Duncan Sinclair’s side match the achievement of Craig McEwan’s, who recorded the same winning streak, back in 2014.

As the scoreline suggests, it was an easy afternoon for the Barrhead side – although they had to dig deep to eventually open the floodgates.

‘Lie had a great opportunity to open the scoring after just three minutes but Hal Bohme was unable to capitalise on Jamie Docherty’s fine through ball.

James Digney had to be alert at the other end as the hosts put Arthurlie under some pressure, and the keeper was on hand to make a number of fine blocks.

But the tie would swing well and truly in Arthurlie’s favour in 28 minutes as the visitors took the lead against the run of play.

Gabe Skeoch dithered on the ball on the edge of his own penalty area, allowing Docherty to bounce on his poor clearance to race in on goal.

However, the former Renfrew man was halted in his tracks by a crunching challenge from Paul Young to leave the referee no option but to point to the spot.

Docherty was more than happy to do the honours, as he brushed himself down before slotting home the opener and his 10th of the season.

A quick equaliser from former St Mirren kid Kevin Adam appeared to have halted the momentum in its tracks.

But the on-fire James Marks made amends two minutes before the break as he rose highest to head home a Josh Payne cross to give‘Lie the lead.

Following an impressive opening period, Arthurlie increased their lead right on the half-time whistle.

Stuart Hall hit a great effort that Ryan McLaren did well to parry but Marks hit home the rebound to send the Barrhead side in comfortably ahead.

There was no chance of Arthurlie taking their foot off the gas and five minutes after the restart it was four.

Marks this time turned provider as he held off two markers before squaring to Docherty to fire home his second.

And the match ball almost belonged to Doc, as right on the hour he looked to have grabbed his third, only for his lob to sail narrowly over the bar.

Soon after Sinclair rang the changes with next week’s Scottish tie possibly in mind, Marks and Jamie Gray making way for Andrew Barrowman and Del McNab and it was the latter two who combined on the half hour.

McNab fed Barrowman who fired a great effort on the turn that was well-saved.

But with only two minutes remaining Arthurlie grabbed their fifth when an Irvine defender Anderson headed into his own net under pressure from Barrowman.

Arthurlie: Digney, Reynolds, Bradley, Molloy, Mushet, Hall, Payne, Bohme, Marks, Docherty, Gray.

Subs: McPhee, McNab, Etherson, Barrowman, McLean.