DOWN MEMORY LANE

November 22^nd 1924 v Forfar Athletic (League) at Gayfield

 

with Davie Dewar

 

 

ARBROATH: - Stewart, Robertson, Hay, Wilson, Hamilton, Fox, Smith, Hardie, McFarlane, Farquhar, Black.

FORFAR ATHLETIC: - Bruce, Braid, Granger, Nicoll D, Smart, Nicoll A, Herron, Langlands, Connon, Cook, Junior.

 

In the opening stages, play swung from end to end with Forfar winning three corners in quick succession – all of which came to nothing. At the other end, Smith’s effort flashed past an upright while Hardie struck Smart with a shot and the ball was cleared by A Nicoll.

Four minutes from the interval, this derby game really sprung to life with a hotly disputed goal for the visitors. Arbroath players surrounded the referee to argue their point but to no avail. Herron crossed the ball from the bye line and despite the ball crossing over the line by at least a foot, an unmarked CANNON was allowed to complete the move. The linesman flagged for a goal kick but the referee overruled him. *

 

However, Arbroath were level within a minute after Granger handled the ball on the goal line and McFARLANE beat Bruce with a well placed spot kick. And a minute later the Lichties were ahead. Black had a shot that the keeper caught but dropped and McFARLANE was on hand to slam the ball into the net.

Twelve minutes from time both Bruce and McFarlane were sent off. Not a common event in those days. With a few minutes left on the clock, Forfar equalised. Junior crossed the ball and HERRON was there to put the out of Stewart’s reach. According to some reports there was a suspicion that Herron may have had some assistance from “The Hand of God” to do so. But nevertheless the goal stood.

  * (In those days and official from each side acted as linesman)

 

Final Score: - ARBROATH 2 FORFAR ATHLETIC 2

 

ON THIS DAY 1^st December

1945 v   Stenhousemuir              A (League)                    2-3 Robertson, Gould

1951 v   Dundee Utd                   H (League)                    1-3 Till (Pen)

1956 v  Brechin City                   H (League)                    1-1 Vandermotten

1962 v   Stranraer                       A (League)                    0-2

1973 v   Celtic                            H (League)                    1-2 Sellars

1979 v  Berwick R                      H (League)                    1-1 Kidd

1984 v  Dunfermline                    A (League)                    2-1 Brown 2

1990 v   Stenhousemuir              H (League)                    0-0

2001 v   Falkirk                          A (League)                    2-3 Bayne, McKinnon