Arthurlie showed their class to stroll into Round 3 of the Scottish Junior Cup on their visit to the picturesque Fife village.
The Barrhead boys dominated the opening period but could not find a way through the home side’s rearguard with Steve Bonar, Sean Winter and Craig Malcolm all going close. Seconds before the interval disaster almost struck as the home side were presented with their one and only real opportunity of the encounter when a long punt from right-back Darren Cassells found Darren McLeod in space down the left flank but with only keeper Neil Parry blocking his advance on goal then the young forward scuffed his shot wide of the post. It would have been a bitter pill for The Lie to swallow with their half-time tea especially as they were beginning to show slight frustrations with their inability to break the deadlock themselves.

It was a more controlled style of play that Lie adopted at the opening of the second period as they found their passing game with more rhythm and began to exert real pressure on the home defence. It was only a matter of time before they took the lead and this was achieved on 51 minutes when centre-back Frank McKeown stayed in an advanced position, following the break-down of a free kick as from the follow-up move that involved Callan Adam’s run and Joe Andrew’s low cross it was McKeown who pounced at the near post to tap home.

As Newburgh began to tire it was inevitable that more goals would follow and this proved to be correct as on the hour mark Andrew raced past a static defence from the half way line to get his just reward by slotting past keeper Martyn Melia. Andrew almost gained his second moments later when he cracked an effort against the cross bar. With scores of Lie supporters in Halloween fancy dress the remainder of the tie was a party occasion with monks, chipmunks and various cuddly animals celebrating John Bradford’s late header as the substitute claimed the third from a corner to round off a professional performance and a job well done.

Next Saturday Arthurlie host Largs at 2pm on league duty.

Report by Mick Hydes

Arthurlie : Neil Parry, James Lundie, Stephen Gallagher, Frank McKeown, Craig Higgins, John McLay, Sean Winter, Steven Bonar, Joe Andrew, Craig Malcolm, Callan Adam; subs: Stephen Anderson, Tam Murdoch, John Johnston, Gavin Duncan, Dave Williams, John Bradford, Keiran Cannon

Referee: Gavin Harris

Arthurlie players support the "Show Racism The Red Card" campaign before the game

Frank McKeown fires just over

Joe Andrews effort is cleared off the line

Craig Malcolm gets a block in

John McLay powers forward

Steven Bonar sees his shot deflected

Frank McKeown stabs home the opener

Joe Andrew shields the ball

Franko goes close to making it 2-0

Joe Andrew nets his fourth goal in three games to double the lead

Sean Winter tracks back

Some of Newburgh's ex players look on

The Arthurlie players and management get ready to party

All images copyright Ed McDonald