YFS
A tight affair saw Currie star deservedly advance into the next round of the Scottish Cup, after defeating a battling Arthurlie Juniors side. A ferocious wind swept across the Meggetland pitch, which hindered both teams attempt to play football in a match of few clear cut chances.
The home side started the brighter looking more assured in possession than their West coast counterparts, and they were first to threaten. The impressive Daniel Jardine, who was ubiquitous in all things positive for Currie, threaded an intelligent through ball for the lively Arran Singh, however the striker was well marshalled by the Arthurlie defence as he advanced on goal, who recovered well to avert the danger.
Despite Currie imposing themselves on the game it was Arthurlie who registered the first shot of the tie. Their battling captain Kyle Harte won the ball in midfield before releasing Callum Hunter in the inside right channel, despite being forced wide the striker managed to get a shot away however his cross come shot from the right hand side of the box sailed wide, abeited by the blustery conditions.
Currie continued to be the ascendants in the tie however, the aforementioned Jardine was the architect once more. His neat through ball again found the intelligent and well timed run of SIngh, however this time the striker was forced wide and the resulting effort from the left hand side of the box was gather comfortably by Cameron Craig in the visiting goal.
Singh was found in behind again this time in the inside right channel, as the energetic stirker made his way towards goal, he was caught in possession by a measured tackle. This only succeeded in prodding the ball in the direction of Singhs on rushing strike partner Samer Lazim who had looked equally dangerous thus far, providing a dangerous amalgamation of pace power & skill. His right footed effort though was well saved by Craig,
Lazim was not to be denied for long though, shortly afterwards he opened the scoring in this tight affair. Dominic Kane burst down the right flank before hitting the byline and delivering a precise cut back for Lazim, who made no mistake dispatching a right footed effort with authority past the helpless Craig giving his side a warranted advantage.
The goal did not immediately alter the flow of the game, as Currie continued to press. This time Lazim cut in from the right hand side before finding Calum McDonald who in turn fed Singh, however he could only send the resulting shot over the bar.
Arthurlie became more apparent as an attacking force as the half wore on , without creating any guilt edged chances. After Ross Gordon had won a corner on the right hand side, the ball was delivered into the back post. Currie dealt with the danger routinely, before the clearance found Harte on the edge of the area and after his initial attempt was blocked the midfielder let fly again with a right footed volley but it didn’t trouble Callum Thompson in the Currie goal, as the ball sailed over.
The opening 45 meandered towards half time, with the home side still looking the more potent in attack, however goalmouth action became harder to come by in the swirling gale.
Arthurlie had a succession of corners before the interval, but could not find a route to goal as the half time whistle sounded. Currie would have been satisfied with their work so far, leaving Arthurlie to try and devise a way to breach the home sides defence after the interval.