Arthurlie shoot into next round of Challenge Cup
WHITLETTS VICTORIA .............................. 1 ARTHURLIE ................................................. 2
The Arthurlie bandwagon rolls on with yet another win and progression in the South Challenge Cup.
The Barrhead side started off on the front foot once again with Dale Simeon firing a low shot through a ruck of players which keeper Alistair McInnes saved.
But the opening goal was merely delayed until 11 minutes with Simeon’s corner leading to a melee in the box before Michael MacNeil got the final touch to break the deadlock.
Vics responded instantly and forced a corner, taken by Louis Kerr, but Jamie Henderson headed over the bar.
A Calum Nolan pass found Simeon who shot just over. Then minutes later Simeon chipped McInnes after a superb Tam McGaughey pass but the effort sailed narrowly over the bar.
Whitletts had a half-chance when Gary Carroll lost his footing in the box, but Kerr curled his shot just past the far post.
Arthurlie doubled the lead in the 36th minute when McGaughey was brought down as he was just about to pull the trigger.
Captain and penalty-kick specialist Carroll converted the spot kick with an unstoppable shot to make it 2-0.
Right on half-time, though, Vics scored when Kerr’s cross was cut back by Henderson for Jordan Boyd to place a shot from close range past James Scott and reduce the deficit to just one goal.
Darren Ramsay came close with a long range free kick at the start of the second half, which McInnes saw late.
The visitors’ attacks were coming in waves and Andy McLaughlin was unlucky after he had controlled an awkward bounce but shot past.
With less than 30 minutes remaining, Nad Zeb received a second yellow card leaving‘ Lie down to 10 men.
Whitletts almost capitalised when Scott misjudged a cross and Jason Walker shot over with the goal at his mercy.
At the other end, Ramsay powered a volley towards goal but it flew past with the keeper beaten.
Kevin McFarlane came even closer with a header which crashed off the crossbar and onto the goal-line, but in the end there was no further scoring.