Arbroath 3 – 0 Forfar Athletic
Arbroath made sure they are in the bunnet for Monday’s 4th round Scottish Cup Draw after a professional performance today against Angus neighbours Forfar Athletic.
With the potential banana skin, Dick Campbell had his side up for the game and the team beat Forfar with their energy when they had the ball and without the ball in the hustling energetic performance we have been accustomed to seeing from this side.
Jason Thomson opened the scoring in the 12th minute after getting the ball from Scott Stewart and showed great composure to beat his man and then place the ball in the far corner.
His defensive team mate Ricky Little made it 2-0 just 8 minutes later as he netted after Michael McKenna’s cross fell at his feet.
The score could have really been much greater going into the break as Scott Stewart had a shot just wide, and another tipped over with Thomas O’Brien also having a header cleared off the line.
At the other end other than a Scott Shepherd shot which went wide in the opening minutes Derek Gaston was a mere bystander.
Half Time Stats
Possession – Arbroath 54% – 46% Forfar Athletic
Total Shots – Arbroath 12 – 1 Forfar Athletic
On Target – Arbroath 5 – 0 Forfar Athletic
Off Target – Arbroath 6 – 1 Forfar Athletic
Blocked – Arbroath 1 – 0 Forfar Athletic
Corners – Arbroath 8– 0 Forfar Athletic
Fouls Committed – Arbroath 5 – 4 Forfar Athletic
As the second half kicked off it was the first real Forfar had put on the Arbroath defence but again Derek Gaston was rarely troubled.
Luke Donnelly scored a wonderful goal in the 53rd minute to make it 3-0 with a lovely piece of skill and finish! Definitely one which we hope the GoPro has captured.
The game did open up but Arbroath really weren’t tested with the home side putting in a professional performance with some lovely passing at times.
Substitute Dale Hilson almost grabbed a 4th but a slight deflection took it away from him as he slid in at the back post.
Full Time Stats
Possession – Arbroath 59% – 41% Forfar Athletic
Total Shots – Arbroath 17 – 3 Forfar Athletic
On Target – Arbroath 7 – 1 Forfar Athletic
Off Target – Arbroath 8 – 1 Forfar Athletic
Blocked – Arbroath 2 – 1 Forfar Athletic
Corners – Arbroath 11 – 5 Forfar Athletic
Fouls Committed – Arbroath 11 – 8 Forfar Athletic
3 goals, a clean sheet and into the 4th round!
Thanks to all 1280 supporters who came today. We hope you are now home safely and thawing out!
C’mon the Lichties
Arbroath
1 – Derek Gaston
2 – Jason Thomson
3 – Colin Hamilton (Clark 74)
4 – Ricky Little
5 – Thomas O’Brien (c)
12 – Scott Stewart
18 – Chris Hamilton
8 – Michael McKenna
28 – James Craigen
15 – Luke Donnelly (Hilson 74)
11 – Bobby Linn (Swankie 74)
Substitutes
7 – David Gold
9 – Dale Hilson – 15; 74th
10 – Gavin Swankie – 11; 74th
16 – Harrison Clark – 3; 74th
22 – Liam Henderson
21 – Calum Antell (GK)
Goals – Thomson 12, Little 20, Donnelly 53
Yellow Cards – Linn 22
Forfar Athletic
1 – Marc McCallum
2 – Ross Meechan (c)
15 – Yusuf Hussain (Strachan 74)
4 – Steven Anderson
25 – Sam Fisher
14 – Archie Thomas
10 – Craig Slater
7 – Craig Thomson (Anderson 51)
24 – PJ Crossan
18 – Scott Shepherd (McCluskey 61)
9 – Matthew Aitken
Substitutes
3 – Luke Strachan – 15; 74th
8 – Jamie Ness
11 – Grant Anderson – 7; 51st
12 – Steven Doris
17 – Stefan McCluskey – 18; 61st
23 – Gary Irvine
21 – Lewis Sanderson (GK)
Yellow Cards – Meechan 26, Crossan 89
Attendance – 1280
Officials;
Referee – Mike Roncone
Assistant Referee 1 – Andy Milne
Assistant Referee 2 – Brian Christie
