Reillytalksup fightingspiritin dropzonescrap
Mick Hydes
BENBURB ............................................. 1 ARTHURLIE .......................................... 1
Colin Reilly insists spirited Arthurlie can escape the drop after a dramatic draw with Benburb on Saturday.
The Barrhead outfit took the lead but had to play the final chunk of the game with midfielder Jordan Leyden in goal after keeper Max Clark was sent-off.
When all was said and done at New Tinto Park, Arthurlie were sitting second-bottom of the West of Scotland League Premier Division table, four points adrift of safety.
Glenafton Athletic’s 4-2 win over Irvine Meadow lifted them out of the relegation zone and they also have two games in hand on‘Lie.
“We battled so well and came desperately close to winning it and the offside decision was cruel on us,”the manager said.
“The players are giving everything, and we will battle in every game until the end of the season to try and avoid relegation.
“There is still plenty spirit within the squad – and this shows how we battled well to get a point with 10 men and an outfield player in goal. Really, the [offside] goal we scored should have stood so we could have won it.”
‘Lie began well in search for the away win they badly needed and enjoyed a dream start when, after only nine minutes, they took the lead with a fine team goal after patient build-up.
Following a neat passage of play, Dylan Dykes – with his back to goal – laid off a neat pass into the path of Lee Roulston whose shot from the edge of the area found the goal thanks to the underside of the bar.
Aaron Black wasted a chance for Bens to equalise and Dykes flashed an effort wide for‘Lie just before the break.
Dec McDonald was tripped for a penalty immediately after the restart and converted this himself to level things up for the Govan men.
Just past the hour mark, a challenge on the edge of the area led to Clark’s dismissal for‘Lie with Leyden stepping up and taking the gloves.
However, Bens could not capitalise against 10 men and it was‘Lie who came closest to winning it.
Conor Bolger set up Dylan Fletcher for a close-range finish that was harshly ruled out for an offside decision.
Only six matches remain for‘Lie to pull off a great escape and the remaining schedule includes a double-header against high-flying reigning champions Beith.
The first instalment is this Saturday at Bellsdale Park in North Ayrshire before battle commences with the two-legged Junior Cup semi-final against First Division Johnstone Burgh.