Arniston Miss Chance to Grab a Home Point

After going a goal down within two minutes, Arniston fought back into the game and drew level as they dominated much of the first half. However, Fauldhouse came out re-energised after the break and controlled the second forty five minutes. The home side then showed why they are bottom of the table as they gave away two unnecessary penalties and United ran out comfortable winners as both teams tired on a heavy pitch.   

It was bottom versus top as Arniston Rangers hosted unbeaten Fauldhouse United in the McBookie.com East Premier League at Newbyres Park. The visitors have been in fine form this season and have only dropped points once this campaign- last Saturday at St Andrews. They are averaging nearly four goals a game in the league with Jack Currie having netted 8 times.  Arniston sit bottom but have drawn four of their seven league fixtures so are no pushover - having lost by a single goal to promotion hopefuls Musselburgh earlier this season. 

Fauldhouse started quickly and were ahead with their first attack. Dunn made good progress on the left before centring for MCLEOD to slip home the simplest of chances - not for the first time this season Arniston paid the penalty for a slow start. 

Arniston won a corner in their first attack but McIntosh's cross produced nothing. 

There was fully 9 minutes played before there was anymore to report and it was a McIntosh shot straight at Hutchison in the away goal. A minute later Ranger's Hay pulled an effort just wide. Next Deland made great progress on the left and his cross was met by Fairgrieve who fluffed his attempt. 

United were second best at this stage but after 19 minutes Dunn got on the end of a short corner, but his fierce shot was wide. Two minutes later Bennett got free on the left but sent his effort wide. 

Arniston were playing well and after 25 minutes they drew level. HAY showed good pace to get on the end of a through ball and shot confidently past Hutchison in the United goal. They deserved to be level. 

Minutes later the home side had a penalty shout turned down when Fairgrieve was felled in the box - referee Ryan Lee was right on the spot and had a good view of the incident and waved play on. After 31 minutes Hay and McIntosh combined well but the latter shot straight at the visiting keeper. A minute later Hay had an effort deflected over. Next McIntosh had his effort well saved by Hutchison after a goalmouth scramble. At this point Arniston were dominating but missing chances. 

In the last five minutes of the half O'Donnell gave Bennett a chance which he put wide before McIntosh himself shot wide from distance. 

Arniston created enough openings to be in front at the break but poor finishing would come back to haunt them. 

Half Time  Arniston Rangers1;   Fauldhouse United 1

Fauldhouse came out a very different side in the second half. O'Donnell had a cross well collected by Cornet before having a weak shot held by the keeper. 

After 54 minutes O'Donnell again worked Cornet as the visitors dominated. 

Arniston were not seen going forward much although Hay put in a dangerous cross and McTernan had a weak shot straight at the keeper. Hay but in another good cross but Fairgrieve had a weak shot on the end of it. 

After 61 minutes, Cornet saved well from a Bennett header after a good O'Dnnell cross. 

Arniston withdrew Fairgrieve and introduced Watson just after the hour as legs tired. With 65 minutes played United might have gone ahead again. Callaghan slipped and let McLeod in but he was crowded out by home players. 

After 69 minutes Arniston missed a great opportunity to go into the lead. Deland did well to win the ball back and created an shooting chance for Somerville but he blasted over when well placed. 

With 73 minutes on the clock Fauldhouse won a penalty. McLeod cut in from the right and despite turning away from goal, McIntosh clumsily brought him down. The referee pointed to the spot and O'DONNELL gave Cornet no chance with the shot. It was a deserved goal. 

After 80 minutes Callaghan had a chance for Rangers when he got on the end of a free kick after Hutchison missed his punch but blasted over. 

Both teans made changes to introduce fresh legs. 

With three minutes remaining Fauldhouse secured the points. Woods handled when he was on the ground in the box and the referee awarded a second penalty. O'DONNELL stepped forward and gave Cornet no chance for the second time. 

Fauldhouse deserved the points for their second half performance but Arniston had enough chances to share the points overall. The two penalties could have been avoided. Best for Rangers were Deland and Hay and United were well served by Dunn and McLeod. 

Referee Ryan Lee had a fine game and despite no assistants got the big decision right. 

Fauldhouse host Blackburn United in the League next week while Arniston entertain St Andrews United in the First Round of the Scottish Junior Cup

Full Time Arniston Rangers 1; Fauldhouse United 3 
 

Arniston Rangers
Cornet, Jeffrey, Deland, Callaghan, Woods, McTernan, Somerville, Devin, Fairgrieve, Hay and McIntosh  subs Watson, Miller, Aitchison, Waugh and Sanderson

Fauldhouse United

Hutchison, Watson, Brown, Stewart, Currie, Dunn, O'Donnell, Ward, Misango, McLeod (Trialist)and Bennett  subs  Arrol, Brady, Magee, Brogan and Craig 

Referee Ryan Lee

Gordon Baird

Neutral Reporter