Arthurlie 3-3 Muirkirk Juniors – 14 August 2021 – WoSFL Conference A

By Frank Cassidy

ARTHURLIE’S 100% record ended but they remain unbeaten after a six-goal thriller which had the fans on tenterhooks until the final whistle.

There was no hint of things to come in a first half which was just edged by the visitors in terms of possession and chances created.

It was no surprise when they took the lead after 18 minutes when Calum Bryan headed home following a corner.

But you don’t lead the league table by accident and Arthurlie gradually came back into the match with an equaliser.

Gary Carroll was impeded in the box and he converted the spot kick with his usual prowess with less than 10 first half minutes remaining.

The home side took command after the break and a Darren Ramsay corner was followed by a superb Carroll header which produced an equally good save from Nathan Bogle.

With Arthurlie now in the driving seat they took the lead when Dale Simeon unselfishly laid on a perfect pass for Jordan Leyden to score with an excellent finish.

Muirkirk were still in contention though and Andrew Coyle came close with a run into the box which was anticipated by James Scott who left his line to narrow the angle.

They were given greater encouragement in the 64th minute when Kris Gebbie received his second yellow card of the match.

As so often happens though the 10 men rallied and, within five minutes, Arthurlie were 3-1 up when a Simeon shot was diverted into the net by Leyden.

What should have been a comfortable final 20 minutes turned into a nightmare for ‘Lie as they lost two preventable goals.

Coyle had time and space when he pounced to bury the ball after a Scott Steedman assist then, in stoppage time, Craig Peck equalised.

Sensing the chance of a point Muirkirk had upped a gear and, when Arthurlie failed to clear their lines, did just that.

Inbetween times, tempers had boiled over on three occasions with several players from both sides booked.

If official linesmen had been there to help the referee it is quite possible more than one red card would have been shown!

Arthurlie team – Scott, Zeb, Gebbie, Pearce, Nolan, Roulston, Leyden, McLaughlin (McFarlane 87), Carroll (McGaughey 66), Simeon (Smith 88), Ramsay. Subs not used – Mackay, Pirie