Brodick take the spoils in top of the table clash
Brodick 5 Southend 1
Both teams went into this top of the table clash level on points but the home team blew the Southenders away with a first class performance.
However, it was the visitors who took an early lead through a possible goal of the season. Centre back Danny Head picked the ball up on the halfway line, then took it forward and shot from 40 yards with the ball screaming into the top corner of the net.
Brodick scored straight from the restart, though, when Archie McNicol latched onto a through ball and powered it low into the corner. This was the theme of the game from then on, with Owen ‘Pele’ Quigley and Archie running the show up front. Ar- chie grabbed a second after blasting another one from the edge of the box, giving Fraser McKenzie no chance in the Southend goal.
Matthew Dobson added a third before half-time after hitting a long range shot which ran into the corner of the goal after a mix-up between Danny and Fraser. John Drummond received a booking for foul play and then Ryan Armstrong and Matthew also got their names taken.
The second half kicked off and straight away Archie found himself in a one-on-one situation against Fraser and made no mistake in scoring his hat-trick. Southend pushed more boys forward to try to get something back but Andy Thomson and Dobson were breaking up all of the play in the centre of midfield and anything that did get through was cleared by the defence or by Gregor in goal.
Archie completed the scoring when he turned Gavin Gilbert and blasted another into the net to take his tally up to 20 for the season.
Referee Jack McNally gave Andy Thomson the man of the match for playing in a different role in the centre of midfield but being very effective in both attacking and breaking up play to win the ball back.
Brodick now sit three points clear at the top of the table with Southend now needing to win all their games to force a play-off, unless Brodick slip up elsewhere. However, the Orwin House-sponsored boys are strong favourites to make it four Arran Dairies League championships in a row.
Lamlash 5 Northend 0
Lamlash may have won this home match convincingly but at least Northend were able to avoid their recent drubbings with a new goalkeeper and a better shape to their defence.
Johnny Sloss was the star of the show, winning Willie Sillar’s man of the match award and bagging himself two goals.
Grant Adamson also got another two goals to his collection, with young Kyle Campbell getting the other one.
Monday night’s fixtures will see Lamlash entertain Brodick and Southend take on Shiskine at home. Both games have a 6.30pm kickoff.