MATCH REPORT: ARTHURLIE 2-2 JOHNSTONE BURGH

Sunday 14 April 2024 14:30

SJFA Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg

Arthurlie 2-2 Johnstone Burgh

Scorers

Arthurlie: Docherty (8), Bradley (59)

Burgh: Lafferty (pen 33), Simeon (77)

Dunterlie Park, Barrhead

THE Scottish Junior Cup Semi-Final between Arthurlie and Johnstone Burgh still hangs in the balance ahead of next week’s second leg after the two sides fought out an entertaining draw in the first game in Barrhead.

1313 paying spectators made their way through the gates of Dunterlie Park and they were treated to an exciting match that will have left the home side frustrated after they twice led the tie.

Arthurlie almost took an incredible lead inside the first minute, Lee Roulston forcing Kenzie Smyth into early action to push away a right-foot volley from 20 yards.

Dylan Fletcher went close on 5 minutes with a curling effort that went narrowly wide as the home side were doing all the early pressing.

Three minutes later, they were to take the lead, a corner from the right only being cleared as far as Mark Docherty just inside the box, and the ‘Lie skipper sent a left-foot volley flying into the back of the net.

On the half hour, Burgh should have had a leveller, a cross from the right being met by the head of Stuart McCann from 8 yards, but Graham Black somehow got down to save and the rebound was knocked behind.

The equaliser did arrive just 3 minutes later, however, when Jordan Leyden was penalised for a pull in the box, and Kyle Lafferty stepped up to thump the penalty home.

The first opportunity of the second half came Arthurlie’s way on 54 minutes when Mick MacNeil met a corner from the left six yards out, but his header sailed well wide.

Five minutes later the home side did regain the lead though, Connor Bradley evading two challenges when picking up a loose ball and then curling home a peach from 20 yards.

The home side were continuing to do much of the pressing but the wind had picked up in the second half and was making it difficult for them to get the ball forward into attacking areas.

With 13 minutes left the scores were tied again when two Burgh substitutes linked to great effect, Ross McKenzie breaking down the left with a powerful run, and his ball to the back post being turned in from close range by former Arthurlie man Dale Simeon.

Dylan McGuigan was introduced from the bench on 82 minutes for ‘Lie and he almost made an instant impact with a perfectly timed run into the box to latch on to a Max Kerr pass, but his effort from 12 yards sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Kerr had proved a constant problem for the visiting defence and another of his runs almost gave Arthurlie the lead at the death, the winger’s cutback looking to tee up Dylan Dykes with the goal gaping, but a desperate defensive challenge poked the ball past the post as Dykes set himself to strike it.

The final whistle went soon after, and Burgh will be the happier to see the scores level, after a game that the home side had controlled for large spells.

Both teams will certainly fancy their chances of claiming the win in the second leg, and setting up a date in the final with Darvel or Auchinleck Talbot.

Arthurlie team: Black, Kerr, Roulston, Leyden, Dykes, Bradley, Fletcher (McGuigan 82), MacNeil, Magee, Docherty (c), Wharton (Bolger 50)

Subs not used: Eadie, Sugufara, Anson, McPherson, Clarke (GK)

Johnstone Burgh team: Smyth, Wallace (Fyfe), G.McCann, Menzies (McKinlay), Naismith, Dorrans (McKenzie), Brophy (Simeon), Lyon, Lafferty (Small), McDonald, S.McCann

Subs not used: Esplin, Broun