Arniston went into this game against 2nd top of League Bathgate with points vital for both teams for different reasons.

Bathgate with eyes on promotion and Arnie to move away from the danger zone at the bottom of the table. A Ref.inspection at 9.00am passed the pitch soft but playable.

Early encounters favoured the home side and they opened the scoring in 5 minutes from a combined move down the left.

Good control and footwork by No 10 Kateleza saw him send a low ball inside to Paul Forbes who made no mistake from close in.  A spell of midfield play saw neither team make progress.

Arniston forced a corner on the left which was cleared only for No 11 Kevin Moffat to gather half way and sent an inviting cross which deceived the visiting defence the ball coming to No 10 Kateleza who promptly netted.

Score 2 -0. Time 25 minutes

Bathgate retaliated with a couple of efforts going wide.

Near the interval home keeper Andy Ritchie had to look lively and dive down to his right to stop a goal bound shot. 

HALF TIME:  ARNISTON 2 BATHGATE 0

At the restart Bathgate showed more purpose, however No.7 Mark Aitken for Arnie almost increased the home lead with a shot which came back off the goal post.  Bathgate’s pressure paid of in the 60th minute when a strong effort was only partially saved and the loose ball was netted. Game on again.

The home defence had to show resilience which they did with Bathgate gaining confidence from reducing the goal gap, however the game was more or less settled in the 80th minute when a good attack starting from their own defence with a fine passing movement left the ever eager Kateleza a chance to score his second of the day.

FINAL SCORE: ARNISTON 3 BATHGATE 1

A good game and a fine all round team effort from Arnie. 

ArnistonTeam
Ritchie Brady Newall Callaghan Faulds Forbes Aitken Mathers Court  Kateleza Moffat. 

Subs. 
Garden McCaul Marshall Meanie Moriarty