Lichties ease to victory against local junior side

Wow! Im still in shock after this! We actually scored, not once or twice, but EIGHT times!! Arbroath started the game with a decent side and notable appearances for John McGlashan in the central midfield position and Euan Donaldson,, back from his shoulder injury, at right back. Steven Cook started on the right of defence with John McAuley in the centre. Cusick occupied the other central midfield position and Alan Brazil and James Collier started upfront with Farqy wide on the left in support.

The game started at 7:25 after the referee finally arrived. The game was also played with no linesman. The game started of brighty for Arbroath with Paul Farqueson getting a lot of the ball wide on the left getting some great balls over the top of the defence from midfield. On 1 of these occasions a great ball from McGlashan put Farqy 1 on 1 with the keeper but the referee gave it offside, I was right in line with it and I’m pretty sure this was the wrong decision. A few minutes after this a second ball was played over and Farqy went 1 on 1 with the keeper but he shot was hit straight at the keeper. On the 15 minute mark John McGlashan had a great header from the far post go across the box but there was nobody there and it was cleared at the back post. After 22 minutes Farqy scored the 1^st goal with a fantastic curling shot from the edge of the box into the top left corner.

On the 25 minute mark Arbroath had a great chance to go 2-0 up through James Collier. Steven Cook put a perfect ball across to the front post and somehow from half a yard out Collier scuffed the ball and hit it straight at the keeper. On the 30 minute mark Arbroath scored a 2^nd through Alan Brazil. A Vics defender attempted a clearance and the ball fell to Brazil 25 yards out and he hit a superb volley into the top corner. A few minutes later Collier missed a great 1 on 1 opportunity by hitting the ball straight at the keeper with the whole goal to aim at. Only 30 seconds later Brazil was sent 1 on 1 and had his shot saved by the keeper’s legs and it went behind. From the resulting corner Collier missed his 3^rd good chance of the night with a free header on the 6 yard box being put just wide of the far post.

Right on HT Arbroath got their 3^rd. Collier ran from midfield and beat 2 people on the right side of midfield and put in a good, low cross for Alan Brazil to finish at the back post, from 5 yards out. Hopefully after tonight Brazil will get some confidence back and be able to put the ball in the net in a league game!

The second half began in the same fashion as the 1^st- all Arbroath. A Farqy free kick saw the 4^th goal scored. Farqy’s 25 yard out free kick was palmed out by the keeper and Collier finished the rebound well. On 65 minutes, for only the 2^nd time in the game, the Vics had a shot! The defence was split open but the 25 yard shot was easily saved by Neil Inglis in goal for the Lichties.

John McAuley and James Collier then scored the 5^th and 6^th goals in quick succession. John McAuley picked the ball up near the half way line and took it past 2 Vics players then after a neat one- two he was put through and finished comfortably into the corner of the net. Straight after the Vics kicked off again Collier took the ball of the defenders foot and put it into the net with ease for Arbroath’s 6^th and his 2^nd.

Kevin Kelly (I think!!) then scored on 75 minutes from a header at the near post. A good cross into the box from the left wing saw the youngster knock it in with his head at the near post. On 80 minutes Steven Cook completed the scoring with an easy tap in. He was put through by right back, Maty Johnson, and after having his 1^st shot saved put the rebound in. Two minutes from the end Euan Donaldson nearly made it 9 from a shot from a short corner but it hit the bar and went out.

Overall, as the score showed, the Lichties first team and youth played amazingly well together and put in a brilliant performance. Tonight was the 1^st bit of training John McGlashan has done this season, apparently, and it was great to see him back in action, as it was Euan Donaldson., Hopefuly these 2 can get their fitness sorted after injury and get back into the 1^st team soon!