MATCH REPORT: ARTHURLIE 2-1 HURLFORD UNITED

Wednesday 8 May 2024 19:00

WoSFL Premier Division

Arthurlie 2-1 Hurlford

Scorers

Arthurlie: McGaughey (49), Anson (77)

Hurlford: Frew (13)

Dunterlie Park, Barrhead

ARTHURLIE continued their resurgent run of form on Wednesday night with a second win in 5 days against Hurlford United.

The win at Dunterlie moves them to within a single point of fourth-bottom Glenafton, and means there is still a chance of the Barrhead side remaining in the Premier Division next season.

On 10 minutes the home side had their first glimpse of goal, a cross from deep on the left finding its way to the back post for Scott Anson, but the big striker’s header was safely into the hands of David Wilson in the Hurlford net.

Three minutes later, however, the visitors were to take the lead, Carter Frew finding acres of space in the box to power home a header from a right-wing corner.

Max Kerr came close to equalising on 25 minutes but his drive from outside the box was well-saved by Wilson and went out for a corner.

Hurlford were finding gaps across the ‘Lie backline and soon after Kerr’s effort, Ryan Walker got in behind the defence only to send his left-foot effort well wide of the target.

Four minutes into the second half, however, the scores were level, Tam McGaughey taking control of a Scott Anson knockdown before blasting home from 10 yards.

Conor Bolger had the ball in the net 15 minutes later with a superb lob over Wilson, but the linesman flagged for offside and the scores stayed level.

Anson had another header held by Wilson before substitute Lewis Morrison sent a shot just wide of the target at the other end.

With 67 minutes on the clock Bryan Wharton pushed forward from the back and latched on to a loose ball 25 yards out before lashing the ball goalwards, but his drive drifted narrowly over with Wilson well-beaten.

After a second half of intense Arthurlie pressure, with 13 minutes remaining a second goal finally arrived, skipper Mark Docherty getting to the byline before dinking a ball into the middle for Anson to power a header home from close range.

It was the game’s deciding moment, as the home side saw out the remaining time to take the three points, and it could still yet be a goal of huge significance in the battle at the bottom of the West Premier.

Arthurlie team: Black, Magee, MacNeil, Bradley (McGuigan 18) Wharton, Kerr, Leyden, Bolger (McPherson 80), McGaughey (Dykes 69), Docherty (c), Anson

Subs not used: Fletcher, Eadie, Duncan, Clarke (GK)

Hurlford team: Wilson, Anderson, Lidington, Frew, R.Love, McMahon (Kerr), Whittaker, Watt (McKnight 80), A.Love (Hughes), McKenzie (Morrison), Walker (Mullen)

Sub not used: Allan