Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Rutherglen 1 Hurlford 4: Glencairn blown away by United's second half rally

Rutherglen Glencairn were left stunned after Hurlford United produced a superb second half display to earn victory in the West of Scotland Premier Division.

A three-goal blitz in the space of 15 minutes in the second half and a late strike cancelled out Jack McIlveen's opener for the hosts and they remain on the hunt for their first win of the new year.

It has all started so well for Willie Harvey's side when McIlveen fired them in front inside 10 minutes.

But Lewis Morrison's strike five minutes after the break sparked a United comeback, with Sam Lidington and Paul McKenzie netting in quick succession before McKenzie grabbed his second of the game in stoppage time to complete the victory.

Glens are now without a win in their last three outings and slip to 10th after Troon's win over Kirkintilloch.

For their first home match of 2022 Glens named the same side that drew 1-1 with Cumbernauld United last week, while new signing Jack Maley - who joined on Thursday from Highland League Forres Mechanics - started on the bench. Striker Tommy Lone returned from suspension to take his place among the substitutes.

The sides drew 1-1 in Ayrshire back in July and it proved to be another close contest for the majority of the game.

United were the first to threaten in the eighth minute when the ball was rolled to Chris McKnight on the edge of the box. His thumping drive came at goalkeeper Matt McGinley at pace and a combination of his block and Scott Schonville's efforts cleared the ball away from danger.

It was an early warning for the hosts and they took heed of it, breaking the deadlock just two minutes later. A ball forward found McIlveen in the box and he showed great composure to slot the ball past Martin McDonald for his 11th goal of the season.

Jack McIlveen celebrates the opening goal for Glencairn (Dave Taylor)

Midway through the first half McIlveen went in search of his second goal when he got on the end of Pearson's corner to the back post, but his first time effort flew wide of the target.

Down the other end Morrison showed fantastic foot in the box to weave his way past a couple of players before his shot was blocked. The ball rebounded into the path of Bell and Matt McGinley breathed a sigh of relief as his scuffed effort landed wide as he scarmbled to his near post.

Glens fans had a heart in mouth moment when last defender O'Byrne looked to have taken down Morrison as he raced into the box, but the Unted man was booked for simulation.

Carter Frew came agonisingly close to levelling the scores twice inside 60 seconds. Seven minutes before half-time he saw a curling effort on the edge of the box clip the top of the crossbar before glancing a header narrowly wide moments later.

United were upping the ante to get level but Glens fended off a spell of pressure to go in at the break with their slender lead intact.

Just moments into the second half Sean McGuire snatched at a big chance to double Rutherglen's advantage and skewed his strike out for throw-in 15 yards from goal.

And Hurlford made their hosts pay with an equaliser that had been coming.

A break down the right-hand side fed Frew and when he crossed to the penalty spot, Morrsion connected to arrow the ball into the bottom corner.

The visitors had a spring in their step now and McGinley produced an oustanding stop down low to prevent Paul McKinght's drive from making it 2-1.

Glens came close to regaining the lead when McGuire's lob had McDonald scrambling back to clear it off the line as McIlveen tried to knock it into the net. In the end, McIlveen ended up in the net himself and had to receive treatement after colliding with the post.

Keirin Coleman on the ball for Glens (Dave Taylor)

But two goals in the space of two minutes would seal their fate in this match.

With 63 minutes on the clock Lidington's free-kick from 25 yards spun up off the surface and found its way past McGinley, who may feel he could have done better to keep it out, to edge Hurflord in front.

And Glens were left down and out within moments when a ball across the face of goal from Morrison was turned in at the back post by McKenzie.

In 79 minutes McGinley got out well to smother an effort from Frew but McKenzie struck in stoppage time to see McGinley pick the ball out of the net for a fourth time.

Glen return to action next Saturday when they host Bonnyton Thistle in the league.

RUTHERGLEN: McGinley, Coleman, Schonville, Crystal, O'Byrne, Millar (Leitch), Pearson (Maley), McGuire, McIlveen, Burns (T Lone), Mitchell.

Scorers: Mcllveen 10

Bookings: Crystal, O'Byrne, McGuire

Subs not used: McNeil, Malcolm, Cummins, McLellan.

HURLFORD: McDonald, Miller, Lidington, Magee, Robertson, McKnight, McKenzie, Graham, Bell, Morrison, Frew.

Scorers: Morrsion 50, Lidington 63, McKenzie 65, 90

Bookings: Morrsion, Magee

Subs not used: Burns, Whittaker, McCaw, McIntyre, Walker.

HT: 1-0

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.