ARBROATH: - Mitchell, Galloway, Stronach, Imrie, Williamson, Hamilton, Gentles, Lowe, Gibb, Hardie, Gallacher.

DUMBARTON: - Bradford, Muir, Shaw, McLardie, Harvie, Millar, Reid, Gillies, McIsaac, Crawford, Haddow. 

The pitch had been cleared of snow and was well sanded (no global warming in those days) Arbroath had the better of the opening exchanges and it was no surprise when they took the lead after sixteen minutes. Hardie’s cross was helped on to the crossbar by GIBB before it crossed the line for the opener.

Just two minutes later, a GENTLES shot beat Bradford for number two. Then with Mitchell out of position, McIsaac missed an open goal.

Arbroath got a third goal shortly after that let off, to put the game beyond Dumbarton. Gallacher crossed the ball for Gibb who tricked Bradford as the keeper rushed out of his goal. GIBB simply lifted his shot over him into the unguarded net. Gentles was standing by but he was not required to finish the move.

Early in the second half, the Lichties scored again as Bradford came out to meet a cross and missed it. GIBB gave chase to the loose ball, caught it on the bye line and whipped it in, to score from a seemingly impossible angle. Dumbarton went upfield and won a corner. From the set piece, Mitchell and Stronach both went for the cross and missed, but the waiting Crawford failed to capitalise. In fifty seven minutes, Arbroath went nap. Hardie’s cross was fired home by GALLACHER. Then Haddow’s shot was saved at the foot of the post by Mitchell.

In eighty six minutes,  GALLACHER ran with the ball and bore down on goal before shooting past Bradford for number six. Dumbarton finally pulled a goal back when HADDOW’S cross/shot deceived Mitchell. But Arbroath restored the six goal margin right on the final whistle.

Final result ARBROATH 7 v DUMBARTON 1 

March 31^{st 1979} v Dumbarton, League, At Boghead

ARBROATH: - Lister, McKenzie, Rylance, Cargill, Carson, Kydd, Wilson, Gavine, Mylles, Kidd, Yule. Subs: - Fletcher, Fettes.

DUMBARTON: - Williams, Sinclair, Campbell, McCluskey, Gallacher (J) Coyle (J) Fyfe, Gallacher (B) Whiteford (J) MacLeod, Brown. Subs: - Whiteford (D) Coyle (T)

After seven minutes, Dumbarton were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area which came to nothing. Three minutes later a thirty yard shot from Kydd was pushed over by Williams for a fruitless corner.

Play was rather scrappy due to a stiff breeze blowing across the park and both teams found it difficult to control the ball. (you would think that Arbroath players would have been able to cope with those conditions)

After twenty seven minutes, Arbroath took the lead. MYLLES gathered the ball following a goalmouth scramble and blasted a shot into the net. Before half time Yule and Mylles both had good attempts on goal.

Into the second half and a Whiteford shot struck Cargill’s foot and went past for a corner. Then a piledriver from Coyle from fifteen yards out, brought out a great save from Lister. Despite the late pressure, Arbroath held on for the victory.

ON THIS DAY 24^th February

1951 v Albion Rovers                   (A)                League                  0-4

1956 v Cowdenbeath                   (A)                League                  1-2 Sharp

1962 v Brechin City                      (H)                League                  4-1 Stirling 2, Munroe, Easson

1973 v Peterhead                        (A)                Friendly                  1-1 Payne    

1979 v Queen of the South        (A)                League                  2-2 Yule, Mylles (S)

1982 v Clyde                                 (A)                League                  1-1 Yule

1984 v Berwick Rangers          (A)                League                  0-2         

1987 v Raith Rovers                   (A)                League                  2-2 Duff, Brannigan

1990 v Montrose                         (H)                League                  3-0 Marshall 3

2001 v Queens Park                  (H)                League                  2-0 Mallan (Pen) Webster