Central League Cup dream dies as Blakey Buries Ants

Man of the Match - Tony Kane

Photo courtesy of Stephen Kennedy - www.thejuniors.info

Match Report courtesy of Robert Burns - www.thejuniors.info

Arthurlie sealed their place in the next round of the Central League Cup after a late winner broke Ants hearts at McKenna Park.

Arthurlie started off well and took the lead after only three minutes through debutant KIERAN BRANNAN but four minutes later JORDAN WHITE levelled the match for the home wide. After fourteen minutes a ball through the middle was flicked on by White but Lie ‘keeper Kevin Macklin made a good save to deny the Ants forward his second of the game.

On eighteen minutes Brannon almost got his second but couldn’t keep his effort down after latching onto a lose ball in the home penalty area while McGrath saw his effort sail over at the other end minutes later.
Just before the forty minute mark, good play from Steven Bonar saw him released James Marks who got the break of the ball after being tackled and fed Stephen McKeown who shot inches past and the game remained level as the sides went in at half time.

Half Time - Ants 1 v 1 Arthurlie

In the first minute of the second half a ball into the area saw White out jump Macklin but his header went wide of the mark.
On the six minute mark Arthurlie were awarded a free kick just outside the home penalty area, JP McKeever lined up to send the ball into the penalty area but instead laid it back to Mark Blakey whose effort clipped the top of the bar

Two minutes later Paul Stewart had an effort blocked before Brannon’s follow up was brilliantly saved by Docherty in the home goal.

On twenty four minutes Arthurlie’s front two combined again when Marks took the ball wide before picking Stewart out at the back post with a pin point cross but Stewarts header was weak and Docherty took easily.

Bonar had a half volley go just over while Chris Mackie sent an effort wide at the other end as the game seemed to be heading to penalties. Blakey however hadn’t read the script and with four minutes remaining he hit a quite outstanding effort from all of thirty five yards that although getting his had to, Docherty just couldn’t keep out.
Deep into injury time Macklin preserved the slender lead with an outstanding save to deny Borris the equaliser and the game finished two one in favour of the Barrhead side.

Arthurlie: Macklin, McKeever, Blakey, Miller, Merriman, Bonar, Dymock, McKeown, Marks, Stewart, Brannen.
Subs: Crawford, Holmes, Walker, Duncan, Cannon.

Full Time - Ants 1 v 2 Arthurlie

Ants Website Man of the Match - Tony Kane

Ants Team

1. Jim Docherty

2.Niall Reynolds

3. Andy Bonner

4. Ronnie McDonald

5. Tony Kane

6. Stevie Greenlees **

(65 Mins)

7. Mark McCuish *

(65 Mins)

8. Gary McGrath

9. Chris Mackie

10. Ross Cumming

11. Jordan White ***

(85 Mins)

Ants Subs

12. Darren O'Donnell

14. Dean McKay *

15. John Borris ***

16. Gareth Timoney **

17. Greig Cavanagh

Goals

White (7 mins) 1-1