Arbroath 2 – 0 Heart of Midlothian
Arbroath made a dream start to their pre-season with a good 2-0 win over Heart of Midlothian.
Craig Levein brought 24 players to Gayfield and fielded 2 teams in each half with Scottish Cup Finalist players Zlamal, Berra, Hickey, Edwards, MacLean all starting in the first half with Clare, Wighton and Boznaic all taking to the field for the second half.
Arbroath were without Michael McKenna, Gavin Swankie, Jason Thomson and Captain Mark Whatley who are on holiday but did give a debut to Scott Stewart and former St Johnstone defender Ciaran Brian appeared as a trialist, starting at right back.
Arbroath made a bright start inside a packed Gayfield with 1056 supporters taking in our first friendly of the new season.
Greig Spence had the first real chance of the game as he flashed a header at goal but it was saved by Zdenek Zlamal.
Bobby Linn was back at doing what he does best and created a great chance for Omar Kader but somehow defender Aaron Hickey was able to get back and made a sliding tackle.
Scott Stewart made a great first impression and almost allowed Greig Spence to open the scoring with a fine cutback.
The opening goal did come and it was a great ball from the wing by Bobby Linn which was met by Luke Donnelly and Greig Spence with Donnelly getting the flick needed to beat Zlamal at his far post.
Stewart was keen to get on the ball and test Zlamal again with a nice shot after a difficult bounce.
Hearts came close was a Dario Zanatta cross was just wide of Jamieson’s post in the 27th minute before Lewis Moore was denied by Darren Jamieson in the 38th minute before Ricky Little made a crucial block to deny Cochrane on the rebound.
Steven MacLean rattled the Arbroath crossbar just before the break with a curling effort.
Half time – Arbroath 1 – 0 Heart of Midlothian.
Hearts made 10 changes at the break with only Cameron Logan surviving. He himself had come on in the 21st to replace Jay Sandison who picked up a hamstring problem.
Hearts continued to have good possession but really failed to test Jamieson whilst at the other end Ciarán Brian and Scott Stewart both had fierce drives saved by substitute keeper Colin Doyle.
Bobby Linn was enjoying his afternoon as he dived down the left wing with Greig Spence working tirelessly up front chasing every ball.
Steven Doris and former Berwick Rangers defender Robert Wilson came on for Luke Donnelly and Brian with Arbroath winning a series of corners.
Omar Kader made way for trialist Jamie McKenzie, a former St Johnston midfielder in the 71st minute.
Arbroath sealed the win in the 86th minute after Bobby Linn played a wonderful pass over the top which found Steven Doris who showed lots of composure to carefully fire past Coyle.
Full time – Arbroath 2 – 0 Heart of Midlothian.
A great work out for both teams and Arbroath FC would like to thank Heart of Midlothian and Craig Levein and his team for today’s fixture.
The preparations continue as we welcome Hibernian to Gayfield on Wednesday night.
Will you be there?
Arbroath
1 – Darren Jamieson
2 – Ciarán Brian (T) (Wilson 60)
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little (c)
5 – Thomas O’Brien
6 – David Gold
7 – Omar Kader (McKenzie 71)
8 – Scott Stewart
9 – Luke Donnelly (Doris 60)
12 – Greig Spence
11 – Bobby Linn
Substitutes
14 – Jamie McKenzie (T) – 7; 71st
15 – Kerr Waddell (T)
16 – Steven Doris – 9; 60th
17 – Robert Wilson (T) – 2; 60th
21 – Derek Gaston (GK)
Heart of Midlothian
1 – Zdenek Zlamal (Doyle 45)
2 – Jay Sandison (Logan 24) (Brandon 62)
3 – Aaron Hickey (Dikamona 45)
4 – Harry Cochrane (Petkov 45)
5 – Christopher Hamilton (Watson 45)
6 – Christophe Berra (c) Clare 45)
7 – Lewis Moore (Burns 45)
8 – Ryan Edwards (Bozanic 45) (c)
9 – Steven MacLean (McDonald 45)
10 – Connor Smith (Wighton 45)
11 – Dario Zanatta (Henderson 45) (Schiavone 86)
Substitutes
12 – Jamie Brandon – 24; 62nd
13 – Colin Doyle (GK) – 1; 45th
14 – Bobby Burns – 7; 45th
15 – Clevid Dikamona – 3; 45th
16 – Alex Petkov – 4; 45th
17 – Anthony McDonald – 9; 45th
18 – Sean Clare – 6; 45th
19 – Craig Wighton – 10; 45th
20 – Oliver Bozanic – 8; 45th
21 – Euan Henderson – 11; 45th
22 – Leon Watson – 5; 45th
23 – Ryan Schiavone – 21’ 86th
24 – Cameron Logan – 2; 21st
Attendance: 1056
Referee; Mike Roncone
Assistant Referee 1 – Gordon Crawford
Assistant Referee 2 – Steven Traynor
