South Challenge Cup – R3

WHITLETTS VICTORIA  1 ARTHURLIE 2

By Frank Cassidy

THE Arthurlie bandwagon rolls on with another win and progression in the South Challenge Cup.

They started off on the front foot once again with Dale Simeon firing a low shot through a ruck of players which keeper Alistair McInnes saved.

But the opening goal was merely delayed until 11 minutes with Simeon’s corner leading to a melee in the box before Michael MacNeil got the final touch.

Vics responded instantly and forced a corner, taken by Louis Kerr but headed over by Jamie Henderson.

A Calum Nolan pass found Simeon who shot just over then, minutes later Simeon chipped McInnes, after a superb Tam McGaughey pass,  but it sailed over the bar.

Kerr then had a half-chance when Gary Carroll lost his footing in the box, then curled a shot just past the far post.

Arthurlie doubled the lead in the 36th minute when McGaughey was brought down when he was just about to pull the trigger.

Captain and penalty-kick specialist Carroll converted the spot kick with an unstoppable shot to make it 2-0.

Right on half-time, though, Vics scored when Kerr’s cross was cut back by Henderson for Jordan Boyd to place a shot from close range past James Scott.

Darren Ramsay came close with a long range free kick at the start of the second half, which McInnes saw late.

The visitors’ attacks were coming in waves and Andy McLaughlin was unlucky after he had controlled an awkward bounce but shot past.

With less than 30 minutes remaining, Nad Zeb received a second yellow card and The ‘Lie were down to 10 men.

Whitletts almost capitalised when Scott misjudged a cross and Jason Walker shot over with the goal at his mercy.

At the other end, Ramsay powered a volley towards goal but it shot past with the keeper beaten.

Kevin McFarlane came even closer with a header which crashed off the crossbar and into the goal-line, but there was no further scoring.

ARTHURLIE – Scott; Zeb, Nolan, Pearce, MacNeil (McFarlane 36), McLaughlin (Chalmers 84), Carroll (Leyden 73), Ramsay, Roulston, Simeon, McGaughey.

Subs not used – Mackay, O’Hare, Black (G/K)