Make mine a Double, says Lindsay

Jun 16 2011 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

ARTHURLIE will be aiming to make it a double tonight as they travel to the South Side of Glasgow to contest the Cup Winners Cup Final.

Sandy MacLean’s men earned their place in tonight’s showdown thanks to their thrilling semi-final victory over Irvine Meadow at the weekend.

That game ended 2-2 in regulation time but MacLean’s side fired their way into the final by winning the penalty shootout 4-2.

Goalkeeper Neil Parry was the main man for the ’Lie, saving penalties from former St Mirren striker Brian McGinty and Michael Hughes.

Tonight, the Barrhead club face Shotts Bon Accord and assistant manager Colin Lindsay looking forward to locking horns with their opponents.

He said: “Shotts will get all the respect in the world from us. They beat Auchinleck the other day and that tells you what a difficult team they are to beat.

“We’ll respect them but we won’t fear them.”

Tonight’s venue will no doubt bring back happy memories for the Arthurlie faithful as it was at Newlandsfield earlier this month where they won the West of Scotland Cup Final, beating arch-rivals Pollok 1-0 in their own back yard.

Michael Keenan headed home the only goal of the game on that occasion.

And Arthurlie number two “Ces” is looking for one last push from his players tonight.

He said: “We’re ready to go and we’re pleased to have won the semi-final and to have got to this stage.

“Now we want to take it further. We want one big push and then the players can go away and enjoy their summer holidays.

“The boys have been terrific all season in terms of their effort and workrate but we need them to do that again one more time.

“Hopefully, it’ll be a good final. Sometimes, finals can be a bit of a damp squib because there is so much at stake and players are tense but we want our guys to go out, relax and play their natural game.”

Strikers Denis McLaughlin and John Johnston could be back in action for Arthurlie this evening. Kick-off at Newlandsfield is at 7.15pm.

lWilliam Hill latest odds: Arthurlie 4/9, Shotts Bon Accord 19/5, draw 7/2.