MATCH REPORT: KIRKINTILLOCH ROB ROY 0-2 ARTHURLIE

Scorers: Carroll (32), Simeon (61)

By Ross Lafferty

FOLLOWING last week’s impressive victory in the Scottish Junior Cup, Arthurlie travelled to Guy’s Meadow for the second Saturday running to face third-placed Kirkintilloch Rob Roy in the West of Scotland Premier Division.

And as with the previous week it was to turn out to be a victorious drive home for the Barrhead team, who now seem to be finding their feet in the top league following promotion in the summer.

But after quite a fiery exchange in the cup, the fireworks in this Guy Fawkes Night match came courtesy of the Arthurlie attacking play as two stunning goals either side of the half-time break were enough to give Craig Palmer’s men the three points.

The game hadn’t got off to the best of starts for the visitors, however, when Lewis Magee was forced off only 17 minutes into the first-half with Callum Nolan replacing him from the bench.

Aaron Healy was to have the first chance for ‘Lie when Lee Roulston played him in on goal on the half-hour, but the teenager’s touch let him down for once and Kevin McAllister easily saved.

But just a couple of minutes later Arthurlie took the lead in brilliant style with skipper Gary Carroll picking the ball up fully 30-yards from goal before sending a Rocket flying past McAllister into the net.

Roulston nearly doubled that lead just before the break but saw his header from a Jordan Leyden free-kick go straight into the arms of McAllister.

Shortly after the interval Roulston had another chance following a nice one-two with Dale Simeon, but was once again denied by a fine save from McAllister in the Rob Roy goal.

The home side were still pressing for an equaliser and they nearly found that goal on 53 minutes but could only send a great chance over the bar following Leyden’s slip in the penalty box.

It was to prove a costly miss as Arthurlie made it 2-0 on 61 minutes, substitute Ryan McGregor playing a great through-ball for Simeon who slipped by a defender before slotting past McAllister into the net.

The goal seemed to deflate Rob Roy and it was left to McAllister to stop ‘Lie adding any further sparkle to a fine win, the home side’s number one making great saves from Gary Smith, on two occasions, and Roulston, in the closing 15 minutes.

Arthurlie team: Scott, Pearce (Miller 82), Shields, MacNeil, Magee (Nolan 17), McLaughlin (McGregor 59), Leyden, Roulston, Simeon, Healy, Carroll (c) (Smith 59)

Subs not used: Dunsmore, McGaughey, Black (GK)

Rob Roy team: McAllister, D.Young, Bell, Henry (Gilday 78), O’Halloran, Cairns, Duncan, Gordon (McNab 51), Hughes (Daily 51), Barclay (McNair 60), McCormick (R.Young 78)

Subs not used: Woodhouse, McPherson