MATCH REPORT: BEITH 4-2 ARTHURLIE

Saturday 6 April 2024 14:00

WoSFL Premier Division

Beith 4-2 Arthurlie

Scorers

Beith: Diver (22, 31, 47), Wilson (41)

Arthurlie: Roulston (56), Docherty (pen 90)

Bellsdale Park, Beith

IT was another dismal day for Arthurlie at Bellsdale Park, as the Barrhead side suffered a third defeat in a row to defending WoSFL champions, Beith.

Following on from a 7-1 reverse last season, and a 4-2 cup defeat earlier this term, ‘Lie warmed up for next week’s Scottish Junior Cup Semi-Final with a repeat of the latter scoreline.

The home side were straight on the attack from the off, and Carlo Monti tried his luck from range when in lots of space but saw his powerful effort dip just over the bar.

Monti was again involved on 9 minutes, sending a cutback goalwards from 10 yards, but seeing his effort blocked by Jordan Leyden with cries of “handball” coming from the home support.

Chances for Arthurlie were few and far between and it was the 19th minute before the visitors had their first real chance when Lee Roulston got in behind the defence only to send his effort high over the bar.

It was to prove a costly miss as Beith took the lead 3 minutes later, Ciaran Diver creating space for himself before curling the ball past Graham Black from 12 yards.

Diver was again on the score sheet on 31 minutes, waltzing in behind the Arthurlie defence before rounding Black and rolling the ball home from a tight angle.

Roulston had another attempt on 36 minutes, trying his luck with a left-footer when he cut inside from the right but his effort was straight into the arms of Owen Stott in the Beith goal.

The game was all but over as a contest in the 41st minute, Ewan Wilson adding a third for the home side with a thunderous shot that flew straight into the top right corner.

The second half had only been underway for 2 minutes when Beith then made it 4-0, Diver bagging his hat-trick with an expert left-foot finish from 12 yards.

Aaron Mason struck the bar with a free-kick from 25 yards as title-chasing Beith continued to press for more goals.

But the visitors were handed a lifeline in the 56th minute when a ball from the left found its way to Roulston at the back post and the midfielder made no mistake with a powerful drive into the far corner.

The goal seemed to spark ‘Lie into life and Max Kerr nearly grabbed a second when he burst in on the left only to see his shot deflected wide for a corner.

Kerr was denied a stonewall penalty with 15 minutes to go when he was wiped out inside the box by Diver but the referee took no interest in the Arthurlie appeals and waved play on.

As the game petered out to a close, Arthurlie did get a penalty in injury time after Tam McGaughey was upended by Stott.

From the spot-kick, skipper Mark Docherty sent the goalie the wrong way with a cheeky “Panenka” into the left corner of the goal.

It was the last action of an excellent game, but one that ‘Lie will need to learn from ahead of next Sunday’s cup tie with Johnstone Burgh.

Arthurlie team: Black, Magee, Wharton (MacNeil 46), Bradley, Roulston, Kerr, Docherty, Leyden, McGuigan (Fletcher 46), Bolger (McPherson 67), Dykes (McGaughey 70)

Subs not used: Eadie Anson, Duncan

Beith team: Stott, Dunne, Noble (McWilliams 70), Rough, O’Neill(Findlay 48), Wilson, Monti (Lind 81), Frize (Monk 70), Diver, Scullion, Mason

Subs not used: Emordi, Docherty, McLellan (GK)