Arbroath 3 – 0 Forfar Athletic

Arbroath 3 – 0 Forfar Athletic Highlights – Courtesy of FAFCTV – Many thanks again to Joshua from FAFCTV for filming today’s game!

Arbroath 3 – 0 Forfar Athletic

The Lichties continued their good start to pre-season with a 3-0 win over Angus neighbours Forfar Athletic this afternoon at Gayfield.

Arbroath lined up with a 4-5-1 with Gaston in goals, then Hamilton, O’Brien (c), Little and Thomson, then Hilson, McKenna, Virtanen, Gold and Stewart in the middle with Donnelly up front.

On the bench were Whatley, Swankie, Linn, Doolan, Ruth, Craigen and Gallacher (GK) but again Whatley and Craigen weren’t risked.

The Lichties kicked off shooting towards the Harbour End and wasted no time in taking the game to Forfar with Stewart, Hilson and Donnelly all looking in the mood.

Un-surprisingly there was a strong wind and Luke Donnelly almost took full advantage when he seen McCallum off his line and tried a 40 yard lob, with his shot just landing outside of the near post.
Michael McKenna was next to try just 60 seconds later with McCallum doing well to save his 18 yard drive.

Arbroath took the lead in the 16th minute, a long ball into the box from Ricky Little wasn’t cleared by Anderson and the ball was played to the feet of Scott Stewart who played in Hilson whose angled drive beat McCallum and was knocked into the net by Meechan.

Dale Hilson could have made it 2-0 just 6 minutes later but an outstanding save by McCallum’s leg denied the Lichties.

Forfar struggled to create any real openings in the first half against the wind but Thomas O’Brien did head clear a shot from Scally on the 6 yard line in the 40th minute.

HT – Arbroath 1 – 0 Forfar Athletic.

Dick Campbell made 4 changes at the break with Derek Gaston, David Gold, Luke Donnelly and Scott Stewart making way for Scott Gallacher, Bobby Linn, Kris Doolan and Michael Ruth.

The wind definitely was making the game challenging with the bulk of the play in the start of the second half going back and forth in midfield.

Forfar did have the ball in the back of the net from a corner kick in the 52nd minute but referee Colin Steven had blown for the ball curling out of play before it made its way into the box.

Bobby Linn and Dale Hilson were switching positions on each wing whilst Ruth and Doolan were again looking sharp up front.

Gavin Swankie came on for Michael McKenna in the 70th minute with Scott Gallacher making a fantastic diving save in the 75th minute to stifle the ball from the Forfar attack.

Just 60 seconds later and Arbroath doubled their lead. A really nice move up the pitch was again failed to be cleared properly by Anderson who allowed Hilson to turn provider to Doolan who hit a first time shot from 18 yards which beat McCallum after smashing off the front post.

Michael Ruth was inches away from making it 3-0 but just failed to connect to a good ball into the box.

It wasn’t long before Arbroath added a third. The build up play was similar to the first with a well timed pass from defence over the top by Ricky Little which was connected by Dale Hilson, with Miko Virtanen in support the ball was played back into the box which was met by Doolan who took a touch to control the ball before showing fantastic composure to hit the ball into the far corner of the net away from McCallum.

Full time – Arbroath 3 – 0 Forfar Athletic

GoPro Goals

Another good performance from Arbroath who were pushed by a good Forfar Athletic team.

The core of the team from last season are all so consistent in their performances that it feels like they have just left off from last season whilst the new players have come in and hit the ground running.

C’mon the Lichties

Arboath

1 – Derek Gaston (Gallacher 45)
2 – Jason Thomson
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little
5 – Thomas O’Brien (c)
22 – Miko Virtanen
7 – David Gold (Doolan 45)
8 – Michael McKenna (Swankie 70)
9 – Dale Hilson
15 – Luke Donnelly (Ruth 45)
12 – Scott Stewart (Linn 45)

Substitutes

6 – Mark Whatley
10 – Gavin Swankie – 8; 70th
11 – Bobby Linn – 12; 45th
14 – Kris Doolan – 7; 45th
16 – Michael Ruth – 15; 45th
28 – James Craigen
21 – Scott Gallacher (GK) – 1; 45th

Goals – Hilson 16, Doolan 76, 85

Forfar Athletic:
1 – Marc McCallum
2 – Ross Meechan
3 – Bernard Coll (Mackintosh 50)
4 – Gary Irvine
5 – Steven Anderson
6 – Darren Whyte
7 – Daniel Scally
8 – Archie Thomas
9 – Scott Shepherd (Trialist C 72)
10 – Jordan Allan
11 – Bobby Barr (Breadner 72)

Substitutes

12 – Trialist A
14 – Trialist B
15 – Cammy Breadner – 11; 72nd
16 – Murray Mackintosh – 3; 50th
17 – Mark Hill
18 – Trialist C – 9;72nd

Referee: Colin Steven
Assistant Referee 1: Alan Grainger
Assistant Rederee 2:Terry Ormiston

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