Robin Miller @ Loch Park - Thanks to Robin at the PDE for this report :)

Arthurlie slipped to their first league defeat of the season as Dale Beattie’s strike two minutes from time gave Glenafton their first points of the campaign.  

With the rain falling throughout the match, it was a heavy pitch at Lochburn and the conditions were reflected in the quick and scrappy play in the first period.  Early play saw the front pairing of McFadden and Andrew working hard against a tough Glens defence although it was Andy McFarlane who was denied by a frantic clearing punch from Matthews.  Joe Andrew made himself known with a low shot from the edge of the box which was smothered by the goalie.  Brian Wardle’s wayward goal kick put the ‘Lie defence at risk before Paul Hilland injured himself making a clearance and made way for Craig Ferguson with just over a quarter of an hour played.

McFadden saw the ball just evade his outstretched leg on the edge of the box before Stevie Agnew was played in by Johnston only to see his powerful drive tipped onto the bar by Evans and the rebound fired wide of the mark.  Davie Williams came into the match and his left wing runs were posing problems for the defence, while the best chance before the break fell to McFadden whose looping header found the arms of Matthews.

Bryan Smith replaced Gerry McLaughlin early in the second half, while Williams was let in by a defensive slip only to fire low and wide from the left hand side of the box.  Ballantyne headed narrowly wide and was beaten by the flag in any case and the same players low cross evaded everyone in the box bar the back post defender who tucked the ball behind.  

The scoring was opened twenty minutes in, with McFadden showing the awareness of a quality penalty box predator to tuck the ball away from close range after Ballantyne’s free kick was parried by Matthews.  The lead didn’t last long, with McCulloch conceding an unfortunate penalty for handball and Agnew tucked the ball past Evans.  

Skipper Fabiani saw his powerful header cleared off the line at the post as ‘Lie pushed for a winner and McCulloch showed superb awareness to find Andrew with a quick throw only for the front man to turn and shoot into the ‘keeper’s arms.

The winner came at the death, the ball falling to Beattie on the edge of the box and the Glens No10 had time to level himself and strike the half volley beyond Evans.

*man - Joe Andrew

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