MATCH REPORT: ARTHURLIE 2-2 ST MIRREN

Arthurlie 2-2 St Mirren

By Ross Lafferty

Scorers: Carroll (40) & Nolan (90)

ARTHURLIE brought the pre-season to a close with an entertaining draw against a young St Mirren side at Dunterlie Park.

In the final warm-up game prior to next week’s Premier League clash with Clydebank, Craig Palmer’s side were put through their paces by Andy Webster’s energetic youth squad.

Five minutes into the game Saints had a golden opportunity following good work by Owen Foster on the left wing, but Luke Paxton could only put the chance high over the bar with the goal gaping from 12 yards.

10 minutes later Foster had another chance for the visitors, James Scott having been caught out of position and leaving a seemingly open goal, but Callum Shields got back in to clear off the line.

Arthurlie immediately broke up the park and Dale Simeon was put through on the goalkeeper but Kenzie Smith in the St Mirren goal stood tall and made an excellent block.

On 25 minutes Simeon had another chance, Tam McGaughey finding space on the right before pulling it back to the Arthurlie nimber 10 who saw his effort well blocked by the keeper.

St Mirren should’ve been in front on 35 minutes, Ethan Sutherland being put one-on-one with Scott but putting his effort against the post before lashing the rebound into the side-netting.

But five minutes later the home side were in front, McGaughey pulling the ball back from the right for Gary Carroll to convert from close range.

Having taken the lead into half-time, Arthurlie nearly doubled it 2 minutes after the break when Alister Miller crossed for his fellow substitute Jordan Leyden to head goalwards only to see the goalie pull off an incredible save low to his right.

Saints levelled the scores on the hour, Andrew Gaffney picking the ball up on the right edge of the area before lashing a shot across Scott and into the net.

Right at the death Arthurlie thought they had claimed the win after Dave Mackay found space on the left and forced a corner with a wicked cross into the six-yard-box.

From the resulting Jordan Leyden corner, Kyle Elrick picked the ball up and put it back into the middle for substitute Calum Nolan to turn home from inside the six-yard-box.

St Mirren immediately grabbed an equaliser, however, Kai Montague drilling home a low shot from 20 yards with almost the final kick of the ball.

Arthurlie team: Scott, Pearce (Dunsmore 57), Mackay, Shields (McLachlan 46), Magee (Bradley 57), McLaughlin, Warnock (Ross 57), O’Hare (Nolan 75), Simeon (Leyden 46), Carroll (c) (Elrick 46), McGaughey (Miller 46)

Sub not used: Black (GK)