Brechin City 1 – 1 Arbroath
Arbroath traveled to Glebe Park this afternoon for their first pre-season in preparation of the new 2023/24 season.
Having just returned to training on Monday, it was a real test as both sides contended with a hot afternoon with the temperature sitting at 25 degrees!
Wearing their brand new away kit, Arbroath handed a debut to Ali Adams in goals with Aaron Steele and Leighton McIntosh on the bench but also included 9 trialists.
Colin Hamilton was watching on and is making good progress and hopes to be back by September but there was no Thomas O’Brien, Michael McKenna, Mark Stowe with Craig Slater in attendance but not playing.
The first half was a stuffy affair with Ali Adams making two good saves on his debut from a free-kick as well as a diving save just on the stroke of half time, with Scott Stewart having Arbroath’s best chance forcing Lenny Wilson into a a good save at his near post.
Brechin had a good first half with Arbroath slowly coming back into the game just before half time.
There was a water break, and despite it being a pre-season friendly João Balde survived a couple of tackles and trialist 39 suffered a mouth knock and had to replace his blood stained shirt just before the break.
At half time Arbroath made 8 changes with only Ricky Little, Scott Stewart and midfielder Trialist 39 surviving.
Shooting up the hill Arbroath seemed up for it and started to push more up the pitch and it only took 4 minutes for the goal to come with substitute trialist 37 taking the ball before turning and having his shot saved by Brechin’s trialist goalkeeper. The new keeper could only palm the ball away and David Gold was there for a composed finish from the rebound.
Aaron Steele had an impressive 45 minutes and has an incredibly long throw which could be a real threat going forward, and linked. up well with trialist 8 who wanted to get forward at every occasion.
Trialists 5 and 37 were combing well up front with 37 forcing a good save from a long range curling shot, with midfielder trialist 39 being replaced with Leighton McIntosh in the 70th minute.
With just a minute of the game remaining Brechin City won a corner and as the ball was placed back out Dom Naglik scored to equalise.
Arbroath Assistant Manager gave his thoughts at the fullt time whistle and we will have that interview uploaded soon.
It was great to be back at it, and it was so good to see so many Lichties at the game.
C’mon the Lichties
Arbroath
21 – Ali Adams (Gaston 45)
12 – Scott Stewart
4 – Ricky Little (c)
35 – Trialist (Steele 45)
10 – Keaghan Jacobs (Gold 45)
39 – Trialist (McIntosh 70)
23 – Scott Allan (Dow 45)
38 – Trialist (Trialist 5 – 45)
34 – Trialist (Trialist 8 – 45)
33 – Trialist (Trialist 32 – 45)
25 – João Balde (Trialist 37 – 45)
Substitutes
2 – Aaron Steele
7 – David Gold
9 – Leighton McIntosh
11 – Ryan Dow
5 – Trialist
8 – Trialist
32 – Trialist
37 – Trialist
1 – Derek Gaston (GK)
