MATCH REPORT: ARTHURLIE 7-0 IRVINE MEADOW XI

Wednesday 24 April 2024 18:45

WoSFL Premier Division

Arthurlie 7-0 Irvine Meadow XI

Scorers: Bradley (11), Roulston (14, 50), Docherty (40 pen), McPherson (70), Fletcher (80), Dykes (84)

ARTHURLIE kept alive their hopes of survival with a 7-goal rout of bottom club Irvine Meadow at Dunterlie Park in the sunshine on Wednesday evening.

They were on top from the start and Mick MacNeil came close to opening the scoring after just 5 minutes with a downward header that bounced high toward goal from a corner, but John Lynn did well to tip his effort over the bar.

Two minutes later, the visitors also came close from a corner, Brendan Sharpe heading just over the top.

On 11 minutes the deadlock was broken, Conor Bradley adding another to his tally for the season, beating Lynn from the rebound after the goalkeeper had saved his initial effort.

It was only 3 minutes before that lead was doubled, Conor Bolger playing in Lee Roulston and the midfielder making no mistake with a finish into the bottom left corner.

With 26 on the clock, Arthurlie had a great chance to add a third when Bolger was sent racing clear, but with Roulston in acres of space in the centre, the forward decided to shoot from a tight angle and Lynn parried it safely away.

On 40 minutes the home team did add a third, the referee awarding a penalty just a couple of seconds before Roulston had the ball in the net.

From the resulting spot-kick, skipper Mark Docherty stepped up and made no mistake, blasting high into the net, giving Lynn no chance.

Five minutes into the second half, ‘Lie added a fourth, Roulston creating space for himself at the edge of the box before slotting his shot low into the right of the goal.

On 65 minutes, Irvine should have had one back but substitute Conor O’Donnell somehow hit the bar from six yards out with the goal gaping.

Five minutes later the home side added a fifth, Tam McGaughey finding Ciaran McPherson with a cutback and the midfielder doing well to take a touch before slamming the ball into the roof of the net.

A sixth was added with 10 minutes to go, Dylan Fletcher latching on to a short pass back before slotting past Lynn.

The home side still weren’t finished with the scoring, adding a seventh on 84, Dylan Dykes heading home an inch-perfect Jordan Duncan cross from close range.

It was fitting end to a dominant performance from Arthurlie and will hopefully serve as a further confidence booster ahead of the visit of title-chasing Auchinleck Talbot on Saturday.

Arthurlie team: Black, Duncan, Bradley, Magee, MacNeil, McPherson (Kerr 71), Roulston, Docherty (Leyden 58) Anson (Dykes 71), McGaughey (Fletcher 71), Bolger (Eadie 58)

Subs not used: Wharton, Clarke (GK)

Irvine Meadow team: Lynn, Sewell, O’Hare, Byrne (O’Donnell 46), Greene, McBride (Anderson 46), Wallace (Gilmour 74), McDowall, Sharpe (Cree 77), Cruden (Lambert 67), Baird

Subs not used: Lauchlan