The big league games just keep on coming, and this weekend is no different! The vengabus heads to Barrhead as we visit our old friends at Arthurlie for our 21st WOSFL Premier Division match of the season.
⚽️ Arthurlie versus Troon F.C. ⚽️
Saturday 16th March 2024
PDM Huws Gray WOSFL Premier Division
Portland Park, Troon
Kick-off 2pm
There are 10 games to go for the Seasiders, so form goes out the window – it’s results that matter now, and that has to be the sole focus in the upcoming matches. Points are king.
Troon’s form has taken a dip in recent matches, after a great start to 2024. 3 wins and 2 draws in our opening 6 games gave real cause for optimism, before Benburb came to town & upset the apple cart. We now need to shake off 3 defeats on the trot quickly to get back on track.
Arthurlie have found this season a bit of a slog, and have found themselves in the bottom four since October. After finishing in the coveted 4th bottom spot & achieving safety at the end of last season, the Barrhead side were looking to kick on this season with a number of impressive summer signings, but as this league gets tougher every season it has not panned out quite as hoped. They have enjoyed a run in the Scottish Junior Cup however, where an exciting semi-final against Johnstone Burgh awaits.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s match…
It’s reached that time of year where most players are carrying some kind of niggle & it’s about managing that til the end of the season.
Ben Black sat out Saturday’s match at Clydebank with a knock, but he is hoped to make an appearance on Saturday although Nicky Docherty (knee) is still a long-term absentee. Other than that, we expect a full squad for a crucial match in the season.
Some huge games coming up, but we need to just concentrate & take them one at a time from here til the summer and not get carried away with ourselves. It’s about securing our place in the division for next year, and not getting too up nor down with each result, we just need to chalk up the points now.
Saturday was very disappointing, the performance as much as the result for me. We gave away some very cheap goals and were 3-0 down without Clydebank having to work very hard to open us up, which was very disappointing for me, that’s not like us. They’re a quality side, and are top of the table on merit, but we didn’t make it very hard for them on Saturday & that can’t happen again. Anyway, get it out of the system & move on to the next one.
We produced a proper gritty performance last season at Dunterlie when we needed it, and that’s what we have to focus on this season. It’s a dog fight, and Arthurlie will see this as a must-win, so we have to match that determination & trust our quality shines through. We have the players that can make the difference, we just have to show the effort & commitment that is required to give that a platform.
We’ve all been delighted with the home support we’ve received this season, it’s been absolutely superb all season & it’s made a big difference to the players. Let’s make sure we have a great support for this match as well, be that 12th man.
Jimmy Kirkwood (Manager)
| Full Name | Arthurlie Football Club |
| Nickname(s) | The ‘Lie |
| Founded | 1874 |
| Ground | Dunterlie Park, Barrhead |
| Capacity | 4,000 |
| President | David Blakey |
| Manager | Colin Reilly |
| Captain | Mark Docherty |
| 2022-23 | WOSFL Premier Division, 13th of 16 |
⚽️️ TAM McGAUGHEY ⚽️
Tam returned to the club in February after an unsuccessful stint at Cumnock, and he is hoping to be the talisman who fires the ‘Lie to safety.
Scored 31 goals in 60 starts in his previous spells in Barrhead, sandwiching a period at Neilston, and he is a fan’s favourite at Dunterlie.
⚽️️ MARK DOCHERTY ⚽️
The 35 year old defender is the leader at the back for Arthurlie after the former St. Mirren, Dumbarton & Clyde player joined from Forfar Athletic last June.
His leadership qualities were recognised when he was named Club Captain after Gary Carroll’s retirement earlier this season.
© Thanks to Arthurlie FC for their images
Arthurlie
| DREW | LOST | WON | DREW |