Arthurlie 3-1 Irvine Victoria – 7 August 2021 – WoSFL Conference A

By Frank Cassidy

ARTHURLIE stood firm and weathered a second-half storm to maintain their 100% record.

After surviving a nervy moment, when Vics had a free-kick on the edge of the box which cannoned off the defensive wall, ‘Lie took an 11th minute lead.

Lee Roulston picked out Tam McGaughey with a precision pass which he placed, rather than powered, into the bottom corner.

McGaughey then had a shot blocked after Gary Carroll had read the situation well and intercepted a pass back.

Dale Simeon turned and passed in one movement as Arthurlie increased the pressure, but David Mackay just failed to connect.

Simeon was involved in the second goal, five minutes from half-time, when he was brought down in the box with Carroll converting the spot-kick.

In the last action of the half Kris Gebie launched a free-kick, just inside Vics’ half, which almost caught out the backtracking keeper.

As the second period got underway it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous with Holly Mayola’s pace posing problems.

He sped past a couple of defenders before trying to find Ben Killington in the box, but the tall striker was inches from a clear shot at goal.

Within minutes though he was presented with an even better chance when he was tripped in the area and successfully tucked away the resultant penalty.

With 35 minutes remaining it was backs-to-the-wall as Vics got a visible lift from the goal and set out to level the match.

And they almost did just that in a good old-fashioned goalmouth stramash when they had three (or maybe four) rapid fire opportunities.

Sometimes the sign of a side’s mettle is how they react to adversity and at no time did Arthurlie panic.

They kept their shape and enjoyed several spells of possession and passing moves which paid off in 84 minutes.

Another stonewall penalty was the verdict when Gary Smith was upended and Carroll secured the win and another three points with his second successful spot-kick.

Arthurlie team – Scott, Gebbie (Nolan 68), Mackay, Pearce, McFarlane, Roulston (Leyden 66), Zeb, Ramsay, Simeon, McGaughey (Smith 58), Carroll. Subs not used – McLaughlin, MacNeil, Pirie