COL’SHEROES‘JUST POINTSFROMSAFETY’

‘Lie climbing out drop zone

Colin Reilly saluted his form troops as Arthurlie boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation from the West of Scotland League Premier Division on Saturday.

The Barrhead boys thrashed St Cadoc’s 3-0 at Dunterlie.

Goals from Max Kerr, Mark Docherty and Conor Bradley sank Saints and moved ‘Lie to within three points of safety.

The Junior Cup semi-finalists are third-bottom but have games in hand on Kirkintilloch Rob Roy and Troon who sit just outside the drop zone.

And gaffer Reilly, left, reckons results are beginning to match performances having snatched a point against Pollok in their previous outing.

He told Express Sport: “A result like that has been coming for a while as we have just been struggling to break teams down. I was confident.

“We were really good and came out of the traps quickly. We matched them and had lots of good phases.

“The players have been fantastic for me and there is a real togetherness.

“We know we have the games in hand but we need to win them.

“I’ll never panic as I have belief in my ability, the coaching staff ’s ability and the players. No one will put in any more work than we will.”

In the First Division, Johnstone Burgh’s clash with Thorniewood

United at Keanie Park was postponed.

Jamie McKim’s side are ninth in the table but have a plethora of games in hand including nine on leaders Petershill alone.

However, Burgh face having to play a half-season’s worth of league fixtures in the space of three months.

Divisional rivals Neilston have dropped back to the bottom of the standings following a 3-2 defeat to Kilbirnie Ladeside at Brig O’Lea.

Two penalties from Del McNab were not enough for the Farmer’s Boys as Nathan Wade’s double and a Ryan Connelly effort clinched the points for the Blasties. Andy Whiteford’s side are seven points adrift of safety but have games in hand. Renfrew are not completely safe yet and they slumped to a 1-0 loss to Blantyre Victoria.

In the Fourth Division, it’s a case of as-you-were after leaders Glenvale and second-placed Thorn Athletic produced high-scoring successes.

Glenvale hammered East Kilbride Thistle 6-1 at McKenna Park with Sean Daly grabbing a hat-trick, Brian Connor bagging a brace and Noah Young netting from the penalty spot.

Title rivals Thorn demolished Royal Albert 6-1 by the same scoreline at New Tinto Park.

Nathan McLelland scored a hattrick with Jay McKnight, Cammy Armstrong and Lewis Steele also on target. Aaron O’Hare chipped in with four assists.