Arthurlie 2-2 Johnstone Burgh
Johnstone Burgh came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw at WOSFL Premier Division Arthurlie, thanks to goals from Kyle Lafferty and Dale Simeon.
Arthurlie started the game on top and were allowed several shots in the opening stages of the game, but unable to test Kenzie Smyth.
Burgh’s first effort of the game came in the fifth minute, as captain Malky McDonald fired over from 20 yards.
Three minutes later, the home side took the lead through their captain Mark Docherty. Burgh failed to deal with a long throw-in, and the ball fell to Docherty who caught it sweetly on the volley, giving Smyth no chance.
Arthurlie continued to dominate and should’ve doubled their lead in the 18th minute. A short corner was played to former Burgh defender Bryan Wharton who crossed it from the angle of the 18-yard box. The ball briefly pinballed about in the box, before falling to another former Burgh player, Dylan Fletcher. Fletcher looked to have the goal at his mercy and was certain to score, but Craig Menzies appeared from nowhere to block the strike.
It wasn’t until the 30th minute of the match that Burgh looked at all threatening going forward. Kyle Lafferty was played through down the right wing by Jonny Lyon, and Lafferty’s cross was block by Lewis Magee. Stuart McCann pounced on the loose ball and passed to Lyon, who cut inside Max Kerr and went for goal but his shot was blocked by Connor Bradley. Arthurlie could not clear the ball, and almost paid for it as the McCann brothers linked up together. Gary crossed it in and Stuart met it with a powerful header but former Burgh keeper Graham Black made a superb save to deny The Burgh an equaliser.
That seemed to wake up The Burgh who, having not been in the game for the opening half an hour, were now on top and it didn’t take them long to get their reward. Like Arthurlie, it was a throw-in that caused trouble, leading to their opening goal. It was thrown to McDonald and as he turned and looked to beat Jordan Leyden, the Lie man appeared to lose his footing and, as he did so, he wrestled McDonald to the ground, and referee Kieran Trayner had no hesitation pointing to the spot. Kyle Lafferty stepped up to take it, and blasted it down the middle, as Black dived to his left.
Half time: 1-1
The first chance of the second half went to the visitors. Lafferty brought down a cross from Kieran Brophy, turned and shot but the effort was blocked by Michael MacNeil. The rebound fell to Graham Dorrans who feinted to shoot on his left foot, cut in and struck it on his right foot, but sent it wide of Black’s goal.
12 minutes into the second half, another throw-in led to another goal. The throw was quickly worked to Conner Bradley, who skipped past two or three Burgh players and curled a stunning effort from 25 yards into the top corner to give the home side the lead for the second time in the game.
Burgh looked to respond immediately, and Brophy put a delightful ball into box, which found Stuart McCann but his side-foot volley was somehow saved as Black scrambled back across his goal to pull off another incredible save.
After this, and as both teams made substitutions, the game lost a little bit of its tempo, and it wasn’t until the 77th minute we saw the next big chance. Some lovely build up play saw Gary McCann play it wide to McDonald who played it through to substitute Ross McKenzie. Then, as Black raced out to close him down, McKenzie stabbed it across the goal with the outside of his boot to find former Arthurlie attacker Dale Simeon at the back post to smash his volley into the roof of the empty net.
Lee Roulston had the best chance to win it for either side in the remaining 13 minutes. With six minutes to play, he found himself free about 25 yards from goal, but his strike was straight at Smyth.
Full time: 2-2
Goals: Lafferty, Simeon
Starting XI: Smyth, Wallace, G McCann, Menzies, Naismith, Dorrans, Brophy, Lyon, Lafferty, McDonald (C), S McCann.
Man of the Match: Jonny Lyon
Overall, 2-2 was probably a fair result. A huge thank you to all the Burgh fans who travelled to Barrhead in great numbers to cheer us on today and made up at least half of the 1,300 crowd at Dunterlie Park. Also, a special to the Burgh Boys, who really were making all the noise today, and created an excellent atmosphere.
Next week, we welcome Arthurlie to Keanie Park for the second leg. The match is on Saturday 20 April and kicks off at 17:30. After today's 2-2 draw, it’s all to play for next week, with the winner progressing to the final. If next week’s match is a draw after 90 minutes, we’ll go straight to a penalty shootout. Admission for next week’s tie is set by the SJFA at £10 adults, £5 concessions (over 65’s & children aged 12-16) with under 12s admitted free of charge, when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available to purchase from Keanie Park between 12:00-16:00 Monday to Friday. If fans are unable to purchase tickets in advance, they will be able to pay on the gate. We accept cash or card on the gate, although cash is the preferred method as this allows a quicker entry to the stadium and will ease congestion for fans waiting to get in.
