Silver lining for red Ryan after Lie’s cup success
ARTHURLIEskipper Ryan McGregor last night admitted his relief – after a red card almost robbed him of his proudest silverware moment.
The Barrhead linchpin cut a fretful figure after he was dismissed 14 minutes from the end of Saturday’s New Coin Holdings Cup Final with Lie leading 3-1 against Kilwinning Rangers.
But his relief was palpable when Robert Down’s team delivered a 4-1 victory.
McGregor’s angst though was not over as West Region officials pointed out his dismissal prevented him from going back out on the pitch for the trophy presentation.
Thankfully common sense prevailed and officials waved the midfielder on – after all, his dismissal came about from nothing more than a second yellow card for an innocuous handball offence.
And his delight at getting his hands on the glittering prize was there for all to see.
Few if any among the impressive 1100 crowd would have begrudged McGregor his time in the spotlight given he had served up an inspirational captain’s performance.
Striking team-mate Gary S Smith ith was theth deservedd d recipiii ent of backslaps and plaudits for netting a well-taken hat-trick.
However, McGregor was a dominating midfield figure and had volleyed home the confidence-boosting goal that put his side 2-1 ahead at the interval as well as popping up on the goal line to head away a certain score for the Ayrshiremen just prior to his dismissal.
“Don’t ask me why I handled the ball because I don’t have a clue myself other than to say it was an instinctive reaction“he said afterwards.
“Having been booked earlier for tugging their player back I was being extra careful with my challenges, but I’ve stupidly stuck out my hand to stop the ball when there was no apparent danger.
“Kil “Kilwinningi i t takingki advand tage of the extra man was my biggest fear until Gary’s third goal put the game out of reach. However, the smile was soon wiped from my face by the news I could not go back out.
“To have missed out on the trophy celebrations would have taken a bit of shine from the day for me, but thankfully the powers-that-be relented.”
Lie boss Robert Downs had warned against the young Buffs side roaring out of the blocks, but never in his wildest dreams could he have predicted the gaffe that led to his side falling 1-0 behind with j ust five minutes played. Stand-in goalkeeper Kris Robertson had ushered his team-mates upfield in taking a free-kick to the right of his penalty box.
But he horribly sclaffed his kick straight to lurking Buffs frontmanr Bryan Boylan, who ra ran into the area before sl slipping the ball beyond the ex experienced keeper.
AN injury blow befell Kilwinning just 10 minutes later when scorer Boylan limped off and this blunting of their attacking optionsi coincided with Arthurlie ex exerting a supremacy on the ex exchanges.
So it came as no real surprise when Smith bore in from the left to level on 28 minutes.
McGregor’s goal emphasised how fortunes had turned and the 64th minute saw Kilwinning’s trophy dreams dealt a further body blow as goalkeeper Fraser Stewart fumbled a tame Smith header over his own line.
McGregor’s dismissal was followed by Smith expertly clipping home a low shot prior to Kilwinning veteran Chris McGowan netting in injury-time to put a better complexion on the scoreline.
Arthurlie’s delighted gaffer Downs emerged carrying the New Coin Holdings Cup and his smile increased following news that Hurlford United had defeated Shotts Bon Accord 2-1 to save his players from a Super Premier play-off doubleheader against Rob Roy.
He said: “This is my first trophy success as a manager and it’s all down to the players who have shown terrific spirit and commitment from the day I arrived at the club.
“Today is their reward and I hope we can now go on to share a lot more good times.”
TONIGHT’S FIXTURE: Stagecoach Central District First: Dunipace v Renfrew (7.30).