Stagecoach West of Scotland Super League Premier Division: Game 22

Saturday 9th May, Dunterlie Park, Barrhead

ARTHURLIE 0 (0)

GLENAFTON ATHLETIC 2 (1)

Arthurlie were first to threaten with a break down the right and a run into the box by Eddie McTernan only for his shot from the corner of six yard box to be well held by keeper Brian McGarrity. On 7 minutes Glenafton took the lead after tremendous build up play and an equally impressive finish. Daniel Orsi pushed forward into the ‘Lie half and after a one-two with Alain Kinney picked out Jamie McKernon tight on the right touch line who rolled the ball back to Craig Menzies. The Glens’ captain then clipped the ball over the heads of a raft of defenders and into the box for the incoming Darren McGill , running away from goal, to kill it with the deftest of touches before turning back toward goal, skipping past Mark Blakey and then lashing the ball home from the tightest of angles.

Back came the home side. A long throw-in to the near post was headed clear by Jamie McGeoghegan and the ball quickly gathered Chris Dallas who gave his marker the slip in some style, but his shot at goal lacked the same finesse and flew wide of target. Another throw in to the near post was chested back into the danger area by Danny Burns for Ryan McGregor to take a touch before blasting the ball for goal and claims of handball by Ryan McChesney were waved away.

At the other end keeper Michael White got his fingers to a McKernon 25 yard free-kick and was alert enough to secure the ball at the second attempt before Kinney could pounce. Ten minutes from the break, yet another long throw to the near post was headed across the face of goal by Kevin Green and try as he might Burns couldn’t force Orsi’s miscued clearance over the line. H/T Arthurlie 0 Glens 1

A lively start to the second half saw chances produced at both ends. The home side came within inches from levelling the game after Allan MacPherson got the jump on his marker but his close range header from a corner-kick failed to hit the target. McKernon collected a short corner at the edge of the box and although his curling shot evaded White at full stretch Blakey was in the right place at the back post to head the ball clear. The visitors pressed again and McGill picked out McKernon deep in the ‘Lie half who hooked the ball over the head of the defender to complete a cute one-two for McGill to continue his run and force his way to the bye-line only for his cut back to be blocked and the resultant corner kick cleared. Back upfield and McGarrity made a brace save at the feet of MacPherson while at the other end an Orsi shot from the edge of the box whizzed wide of the post.

On the hour mark Kinney, on the half way line, played the ball wide to McKernon the right who took a touch before clipping the ball into the box where it was gathered by McGill. The midfielder with his back to goal and Rhys Devlin in close attendance momentarily lost his balance but recovered to turn the defender only for fellow defender Green’s attempt to win the ball penalised by the referee. Pleas that the tackle had been fair were waved away and to rub salt in the wound Green earned a second yellow card and Alain Kinney converted the spot kick.

Arthurlie won a number of corners and free-kicks in dangerous positions but struggled to seriously test McGarrity. Meanwhile the fresh legs of substitute Craig McGuffie were posing fresh problems for the 10 men and a long clearance from McGeoghegan saw the young midfielder beat Blakey to the ball and run in on goal only for the advancing White to getting a telling touch on the shot and Blakey relieved to mop up the loose ball. The keeper came to the rescue blocking a close range effort from substitute Aaron Connolly after he had been picked out by McGill following a lung bursting run into the box. F/T Arthurlie 0 Glenafton 2

Arthurlie: Michael White , Rhys Devlin, Mark Blakey, Connor McGlinchey, Kevin Green, Eddie McTernan, Ryan McGregor, Chris Dallas, Alan McPherson, Danny Burns. Subs Alan Muir, Ryan McArdle, Gary Smith

Glenafton Athletic: McGarrity; Menzies, McChesney (Meikle), McGeoghegan, Cairns; Wardrope, Hay (McGuffie) , McKernon, Orsi (Connolly); Kinney & McGill. Sub. Thomson

• With Petershill and Troon both losing Glens finish 4th in the league.