MATCH REPORT: ARTHURLIE 1-2 KIRKINTILLOCH ROB ROY

Saturday 27 January 2024 13:30

WoSFL Premier Division

Arthurlie 1-2 Kirkintilloch Rob Roy

Scorers

Arthurlie: MacNeil (22)

Rob Roy: Scott (pen 3), Gilday (60)

Red card: O’Kane – Rob Roy (78)

Dunterlie Park, Barrhead

ARTHURLIE’S hopes of avoiding relegation from the West of Scotland Premier Division suffered a blow on Saturday as Kirkintilloch Rob Roy left Dunterlie Park with a deserved three points to leave the Barrhead side five from safety.

The home side made the worst possible start, giving away a penalty after only a minute when Max Kerr was judged to have committed a foul just inside the box.

Jordan Scott stepped up for Rob Roy and, although he was ordered to retake after converting his first attempt, he made no mistake second time around, powerfully driving the ball high into the left of the goals.

The home side were having most of the possession but struggled to create anything of note until the 22nd minute when a free-kick from deep found it’s way to Mick MacNeil at the far side of the area and the Arthurlie skipper drove the ball low into the net.

Five minutes later ‘Lie should’ve been in the lead but Dylan Fletcher dragged the ball wide from inside the area when the goal seemed to be at his mercy.

After a lengthy period of pressure at the start of the second half, Rob Roy deservedly went back in front, Jake Stirling turning home after a corner had caused confusion in the home box.

Kerr went close to a leveller 5 minutes later with a shot from the edge of the box that drifted just wide, but Arthurlie attacks were few and far between as the visitors continued to control the game.

Things were made a little more difficult for them, however, with 12 minutes remaining when Chris O’Kane was red carded after receiving a second yellow for simulation.

As Arthurlie pushed on and tried in vain for an equaliser, it was Rob Roy who threatened to add to the scoreline, Smith being sent through on goal but pulling his shot just wide of the left hand post.

It was the final chance of a match in which the visitors certainly deserved victory, a win that moved them six points from the relegation zone and left Arthurlie facing an uphill battle for the second half of their season.

Arthurlie team: Black, Magee, MacNeil (c), Bradley, McPherson, Kerr, Docherty, McGuigan (Hafeez 78), Bolger, Dykes (Anson 71), Fletcher (Duncan 74)

Subs not used: Wharton, Sugufara, Clarke (GK)

Rob Roy team: Aitken, Walker, Gilday, Henry, Scott, Kettings, Kavanagh (Ruxton 71), Stirling, Tierney (Anderson 82), M.Smith, O’Kane

Subs not used: Green, C.Smith (GK)