Ashfield F & A C 0 Arthurlie 0 , Saracen Park, Glasgow - Kick-Off 6.30pm
(Arthurlie won 6-5 on Penalties)

Saracen Park was the venue this evening for the Sectional League Cup Semi-Final against a formidable opposition in Arthurlie. An excellent crowd of over 300 entered the turnstiles as the teams ran onto the pitch. Ashfield in their third kit of Red and White with the visitors in their light blue and white vertical stripes.

Ashfield had come into this semi-final winning all their section matches and Quarter Final and started the busier team. Tony Chalmers sent Ali Martin clear on the left after two minutes but the winger sliced his shot wide from eighteen yards. Arthurlie had not settled in the early stages and Ashfield were trying to capitalise on this. Mark Thomson floated in a free kick after ten minutes with Paul Maxwell just missing his header at the near post. Another chance for the 'Field' early on in this match.

The visitors slowly began to stroke the ball around and had their first chance after fifteen minutes but Prior in the Ashfield goal got down well to save from nineteen yards.

The match was played at a cup tie pace with neither side gaining an advantage and numerous free kicks being awarded. Arthurlie were awarded one of these decisions after twenty six minutes thirty yards from goal. A ferocious strike was delivered but the Ashfield wall bravely blocked.

The 'Field' had the best chance of the match on the half hour mark. A long throw into the Arthurlie box fell to Craig Smith who dribbled in and fired a low left foot shot from ten yards which was excellently saved by Parry in the visitors goal.



Chances were still scarce though and Arthurlie had the next one after thirty five minutes. A looping shot seemed to beat Prior but also missed the far post to his relief. Half time approached with the visitors finishing the stronger side. Another free kick was awarded after thirty eight minutes with the Arthurlie player bending it round the wall from twenty two yards but Prior got his finger tips to it and watched it go for a corner.

The referee looked at his watch and blew for half time with a Final spot still up for grabs for both teams.

HALF TIME: ASHFIELD 0 ARTHURLIE 0

The first forty five minutes was very cagey with neither side giving any space over the pitch. The second half, however, started at a different pace and again it was the 'Field' that created the first chance after forty nine minutes. Craig Smith picked up the ball and raced past his marker and released Martin. Martin darted to the bye line and cut the ball to the back post where Darren O'Donnell had a tap in from three yards but the ball squirmed off his foot and wide of the post. Happily for the Ashfield striker, the Assistant Referee had his flag up already for offside (You must have seen the flag up Dazzler!!!).

The game had opened up a bit with Arthurlie now imposing themselves strongly on the game, looking more eager than the first half. Prior came to Ashfield's rescue on the hour mark with a fantastic finger tip save to deny a netbound volley from twelve yards out.

Four minutes later Arthurlie had another chance from a free kick just outside the Ashfield Penalty Box. The Arthurlie stepped up and blasted a shot that just missed the crossbar by inches.

Ashfield were now pressed back but defending superbly, with Alan Smith and Jamie Coll solid at the back along with Gordon Passmore and Jim Smith. It was Ashfield that almost snatched the all important opening goal after seventy five minutes. A free kick was awarded which was whipped in to the near post and found the head of Paul Maxwell who glanced it netbound but again Parry produced a great save to deny the big striker. Alan 'Spider' Smith fired the ball back into the danger zone but Arthurlie scrambled it to safety.

Penalties were approaching now but Broadford for the visitors almost scored after eighty minutes but his lob just cleared Prior's crossbar.

The ninety minutes were up but Prior had still work to do to deny a twenty yard shot that came through a ruck of players

FULL TIME: ASHFIELD 0 ARTHURLIE 0

Please see Vid below for the Penalty Shoot Out (Many Thanks to sixnil for the coverage)



So Arthurlie were the winners on the shoot-out but great credit to Chris Prior for his saves and all the Ashfield team for a superb team effort. Ashfield remained unbeaten in ninety minutes in this Cup, that's something to be proud off!!. Good luck to Arthurlie in the Final against Shotts BA.

Man of the Match:- A hard one to choose as every player in Red and White played their part tonight but Tony Chalmers was a menace to the Arthurlie defence all evening

Attendance:- Approx 310

Photographs by:- Inga

Glasgow Evening Times Article, Please click: - Evening Times Article