Whitburn knocked out by 10 men

Jan 22 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

WEST LOTHIAN’S interest in the Junior Scottish Cup ended this weekend when Whitburn were narrowly knocked out at Central Park.

The Burnie’s cup dreams were dashed by Ayrshire side Arthurlie who won 2-1 despite playing the entire second half with just 10 men.

The defeat was a crushing disappointment for Whitburn manager Derek Strickland who felt his side merited more from the match.

He said: “We didn’t deserve to lose that game today but we didn’t deserve to win it either.

“They had the best of the opening 20 minutes then it was all Whitburn. But we gave away two stupid goals and we are out of the cup now.

“We had enough chances to win two games but they just wouldn’t drop into they net.

“Arthurlie adapted to the poor ground conditions better than us for the first half and that was disappointing as we are supposed to be used to our pitch.”

’Lie won at the home of an East Super League side for the second round in-a-row despite having Craig Higgins send off a minute before the break.

They had taken a lead just after the half-hour mark when the Burnie defence failed to clear their lines and Craig Malcolm fired home from six yards.

Whitburn came back into the game and Colin Strickland’s powerful surge towards the ’Lie box was crudely halted by a Higgins lunge.

The centre-half had to go but the home fans were appealing for a penalty as well but the referee ruled the incident to have taken place just outside the box.

After the break Whitburn tried to make the most of their numerical advantage but they fell further behind after 62 minutes.

’Lie won the ball in midfield and broke quickly with John Johnston running onto Sean Winter’s clever pass and drilling home from the edge of the box.

To their credit the county club refused to accept defeat and began to throw everything at the Arthurlie rearguard.

And five minutes from the end they got their reward when they halved the deficit after Ian McSween handed his side a Scottish Cup lifeline with a well-taken finish.

Sub Stephen Anderson had a great chance to turn his cameo appearance into a headline one when he was presented with a chance for a last-minute one-on-one equaliser but the ’Lie keeper made a brilliant save at this feet.

The game ended with the Burnie camped in the visitors half and a last-gasp effort from David McGurk was saved and Whitburn’ scup hopes were ended.

Whitburn: Walker, S Murphy (Lurinsky 69), Leiper, Mooney, McGurk, J Murphy (Donnelly 62), McNelis, Doig, McSween, Strickland, Dolan (Hannah 62). Subs not used: Mackay, D Murphy.