Southend claim cup win in season opener
Monday night saw the beginning of the football season with Lamlash taking on Southend in the preliminary round of the Arran Haulage Cup. Southend were hoping to retain the trophy they won last year while Lamlash were hoping to kick on from winning the FA Cup at the end of last season.
It was evident from the start that there were a few rusty players with some mistimed tackles.
Ryan Armstrong scored the opening goal for the visitors with a low driven shot into the corner of David Heenan’s net.
In the second-half Lamlash bagged an early equaliser when Danny Currie floated in a cross which was met by the head of James Todd and proved to be too powerful for the Southend keeper, Fraser Gilbert. It wasn’t long before Southend pulled in front again with Jack Simmons going on a terrific run from right back while linking up with Armstrong to assist the central midfielder with his second of the game.
Lamlash then came close when Grant Adamson latched on to a through ball, striking instinctively on target but Fraser pulled off a great save to prevent a goal.
The scoring was complete when 15-year-old Finlay McGill, making his competitive debut, struck a half-volley from outside the box. Heenan got a hand to the ball but it wasn’t enough to prevent it from going in the top corner.
Referee Archie McNicol handled the game very well and let the game flow without any cards being issued. He gave the man of the match award to Ryan Armstrong for scoring a brace and dominating the midfield with his effective runs.