Scottish
Youth Cup The Club's
Under 18's great run in the Scottish Youth Cup came to an end on Wednesday 20th
February when they lost on penalties to Ayr United in the Semi Final of the Cup.
Despite having a couple of chances during the match the youths were unable to
score and after extra time the game went to penalties. Durno's effort was saved
by the Ayr keeper and with all the other efforts hitting the back of the net the
result was that we wend down 5-4.
The youngster's did very well reaching this advanced stage in the competition
and the Club are very proud of them. Hopefully we will see some more of these
promising youngsters break into the first team in the near future.
The youths were beaten on Sunday 10th February by Morton at Gayfield going down 4-2. It was an off day and the youngsters appeared to be a bit. Ayr,s coach, Campbell Money was at Gayfield watching the game in which we left possibly our best 3 players left on bench until second half (Durno, Swankie and Farquharson).
Next game is
against Hamilton this Tuesday (12th) at 7.30pm at Gayfield
The youths have not had much action since the
Aberdeen game, only a couple of friendlies, Dundee Utd 2-1
victory at Gussie Park and a 3-1defeat v St Johnstone on
Astroturf at McDermid.
Gordon Wallace & Mike Cargill went to Ayr to view Scottish
Youth Cup Quarter Final between Ayr United and Dundee last
Tuesday night. Ayr won 2-1, against a poor Dundee side, so the
youths now have a long journey to Ayr for the semi-final. We
reckon that Ayr are beatable if we play to our capabilities. The
tie is to be played before Feb 24th, possibly midweek.
The Rangers Celtic quarter Final is due to be played wc 28/1/2
with the winners playing Falkirk in the other semi-final.
The under 18 League game against East Stirling was called off on
Sunday 20th January due to a waterlogged pitch. A match against
East Fife was scheduled for Sunday 27th January, 1pm at New Bayview.
Update -
Early January 2002
The draw for the Semi-final of the SFA Youth
Cup has paired us with the winner of the Ayr Utd - Dundee
Quarter-final tie. Obviously, no date has yet been set for the
Semi-final tie.
The other Semi-final will be between Falkirk and either Celtic
or Rangers.
A crowd of over 400 turned out to see the
Quarter Final tie between Arbroath and last season's competition
winners, Aberdeen, and were rewarded with a cracking match.
In an exciting encounter Arbroath eventually won 5 - 4 on
penalty's, the match having ended 4 - 4 after extra
time.
Aberdeen took the lead in the first few
minutes and added a second soon after, following some poor
defending by Arbroath. The Young Lichties had given as good as
they got however and it was no surprise when they pulled a goal
back through Stephen Leahy.
Aberdeen restored their 2 goal advantage just before half-time
but Gordon Wallace's half time talk worked wonders, as within 10
minutes of the restart Arbroath had pulled level. Kenny McMillan
scored from the spot after Greg Henslee was brought down in the
box and Robbie Holden got the third after he was left in acres of
space by the Aberdeen defence.
Arbroath had the better chances thereafter but could not find
the net and the 90 minutes ended 3 - 3.
Midway through the second half of extra time Aberdeen scored
what they thought must have been the winner. An Arbroath attack
broke down on the edge of the Aberdeen box and they broke forward
to score.
In the dying minutes of the game Arbroath deservedly drew level
again. Baker, who worked tirelessly throughout, was up-ended in
the Aberdeen box and Kenny McMillan converted the resultant
penalty.
Extra time ended with the score 4 - 4 and the game went to
penalty kicks. Arbroath went first and McMillan, Graham and
McMullan all converted before Timmy Woodcock saved Aberdeen's
third kick. Paul Durno made it 4 - 2, but Aberdeen pulled it
back to 4 - 3, only for Gayfield to erupt when Greg Henslee
scored with the fifth and final penalty.
Team - Woodcock,
Fotheringham, Baker, McMullan, McMillan, Graham, Henslee, Durno,
Leahy, Holden, Farquharson. Substitutes - Thomson, McManus,
Warren and Cargill.
Overall Arbroath deserved to win the match, having created the most chances. The young Lichties now go into the Semi-Final draw and must be confident, having disposed of 3 Premier Division sides in this year's competition.
SFA Youth Cup match Our SFA Youth Cup
Quarter-Final match against Aberdeen, scheduled for Tuesday,
11/12/01, was postponed at almost the last moment. Both teams
were ready and willing to play and the pitch was playable, but
the referee decided that the cold weather could affect it as the
evening wore on.
The game will now be played, at Gayfield, on Tuesday, December
18th. Kick off is 7.30 PM
Under 18's Under 18's played Stirling Albion on Sunday and won
4-1 despite having to play for 60 minutes with only 10 men due to
Gavin Swankie's sending off. Swankie will now miss Tuesday's
match against Aberdeen due to suspension.
ARBROATH UNDER 18’S 1 STENHOUSEMUIR 0
The under 18’s following their 7 -1 victory against Dunfermline in the cup were back to league duty against Stenhousemuir at Ogivily Park last Sunday (18th). Arbroath who were in second place behind Ayr United in the Youth League before the start of the match, were assured of a hard game as their opposition were themselves near the top, lying fourth having only been defeated once this season.
Gavin Swankie following his tough game up front for the first team on Saturday was rested although he still found a place on the bench.
The Youngsters started off determinedly and soon found themselves 1 – 0 up in the 3rd minute, courtesy of a fine Greg Hensley volley following good work by Steven Leahy on the left wing.
Stenhousemuir then dug in and matched the Youngsters in midfield, although the home defence coped well with the few chances created.
The second half followed the first with few chances for either side, the closest the Lichties came was when Steven Leahy hit the underside of bar from 25 yards.
Timmy Woodcock in the home goal saved the points for the home side in the 88 minute with a great stop following a strong run and shot by a Stenhousemuir forward.
This was another solid performance from Arbroath against a good passing Stenhousemuir side.
While not reaching the heights of the previous performance against Dunfermline and missing the experience of Gavin Swankie up front, the Young Lichties stuck to the task well and ran out deserved winners.
This victory maintains their undefeated run in the League and consolidates their position behind Ayr United in second place.
Team Woodcock, Thompson, Baker, McMullen, Graham, Henslee, McMillan, Leahy, Farquharson, Durno, McManus, Subs, Warren, Fotheringham, Swankie.
Forthcoming Matches
Under 18’s Away to Forfar on Sunday
Under 16’s Home to Albion Rovers at RM Condor on Sunday 1pm kick off.
There was a healthy home crowd in Gayfield who had come out to support the youngsters who were hopefully on their way to a quarter final place in the Scottish Youth Cup.
Match Highlights
The young Maroons took the lead on the third minute when a cross from Steven Leahy was headed home by Gavin Swankie who was showing no ill effects from his First Division debut in the first team's victory over Ayr United on Saturday. The youngsters were denied a penalty in the 21st minute when, following a great Swankie cross from the right, Leahy appeared to be impeded in the box. Paul Durno, who returned to the the club it the autumn following trials with Derby, then came close with a shot that was stopped on the line after he connected with another Swankie cross. It took until the 43rd minute for the Arbroath youngsters to increase their lead when they scored from a 22 yard free kick, following a deliberate handball from a Dunfermline defender. Paul Farquharson bent the ball around the visitor’s defensive wall and into the net giving the visiting keeper no chance.
Half time 2-0
The home team started the second half by laying siege on the Dunfermline goal with Swankie, Durno, McMillan & Leahy all having efforts which came close to scoring. Gavin Swankie then scored his second and Arbroath's third from a powerful header which went in at at the near post following a Farquharson corner. A piece of uncharacteristic slackness by the home team (they were probably thinking that the game was won) allowed the visitors to pull a goal back.. This setback spurred the home youngster and a great run by Henslee saw him burst into the box, sidestepping 2 defenders in the process, and passing to Leahy to shoot home for the fourth Arbroath goal.. There was no stopping the home side now who were creating chances galore with the Dunfermline defence now in disarray. A long through ball from midfield found Farquharson who rounded keeper and shot high into the net. Henslee then met a cross ball in the box before the keeper could get it and stroked the ball home for number six. Kenny McMillan rounded of the scoring with a fine shot into the corner of the net.
Team Woodcock, Wilkie, Baker, McMullen, Graham, Henslee, McMillan, Leahy, Farquharson, Durno, Swankie, Subs, Warren, McManus, Fotheringham, Thompson Cargill,
Match Summary - A great team performance by the Arbroath youngsters who completely over ran Premier side Dunfermline through a combination of some clinical finishing from the forwards, good inter passing throughout the midfield and strong tackling in defence. First Team squad player, Gavin Swankie, who played for 74 minutes on Saturday against Ayr United, scored a brace before being substituted to save him for Saturday's first team match. Paul Farquharson had another good match with some strong running and a couple of great goals. The home defence was superbly marshalled by McMullen & Graham who give little away.
The home support must have left impressed with this performance, which shows that the youth set up under Gordon Wallace is very strong, and little wonder some of the youths are knocking on the first team door.
This result puts the youths through to the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Youth Cup.
Under 18 v Dunfermline, Scottish Youth Cup Gayfield 13th November with 7.30pm kick off. Admission £2 adults, £1 juv & OAP’s.
The Under 18 game scheduled for Sunday 11th November was called off yesterday due to injuries and the fact that Gordon Wallace wanted to rest the players before Tuesday's Cup match.
Arbroath Under 18’s beat QOS by 4 goals to 1 at Gayfield last Sunday in a league match to remain undefeated this season.
The youngsters first goal came from a corner which was headed powerfully home by Greg Henslee. Neat play in midfield by first team squad player, Gavin Swankie saw him pass to Paul Farquharson who surged past 2 defenders into the box and slipped the ball past the visitors keeper into the corner of the net. The final first half goal came from a flowing move up the right wing, with Gavin Swankie beating the left back, crossing to Paul Farquharson who headed home.
Half Time - Arbroath 3 Queen on the South 0
The young Lichties dominated the second half but only managed to add another goal to their first half tally. A strong run up the visitor’s left wing by young Paul Farquharson saw him cross the ball for Steven Leahy to blast home at the far post. The match was won easily but a bit of slackness by the home team allowed QOS a consolation goal near the end.
This was a good team performance, with forward Paul Farquharson in his first year at Under 18 level impressing with some fine wing play and 2 goals. He has just turned 17 last month, but is fast, can beat defenders and scores goals.
Pool Woodcock, Baker, McManus, McMullen, Graham, Henslee, McMillan, Leahy, Farquharson, Durno, Swankie, Subs, Warren, Holden, Wilkie.
Sunday both teams away, 18’s at Hamilton & 16’s at Stirling Albion.
The Under 18’s under the guidance of Coach Gordon Wallace have made a great start to the season, and remain undefeated in both the League and Scottish Cup.
In the league they have beaten Montrose, Alloa & Queens Park, with draws against Albion Rovers, Cowdenbeath & Ayr United.
Gordon added to the squad in September by securing the services of Paul Farquharson, Robbie Holden, Paul Baker & Marc Warren on fulltime Skillseeker contracts to add to the rest of the fulltime youngsters he trains each morning.
Jim Smith’s Under 16 squad has made a good start to the season with 2 victories and 3 narrow defeats. Jim is happy with the way things have gone considering this is the first season the squad has been together.
Mike Cargill has settled into his new coaching role well and will prove to be a valuable asset to the Club. His main role will be to identify 12 to 14 year olds to feed in to Jim Smiths Under 16 side. Mike has a number of youngsters attending coaching sessions either at Gayfield or RM Condor one night a week, and has already arranged a couple of friendlies to run the rule over some players, with a view to making a couple of "S" signings this week. Mike is also helping out Gordon with the young goalkeepers in the mornings.
The terrible weather last weekend resulted in both the Under 18 Game versus East Stirling & the Under16 game at home to Hamilton being postponed.
The matches this week are, Under 18’s away to Elgin City & Under 16 away to Forfar.
Both teams are at Home the following Sunday (November 3rd) Under 18 V QOS & Under 16 V Stenhousemuir, see local press for details.
The Under 18’s provided the shock of the tournament in the 3rd round of the Scottish Youth Cup by defeating Hearts 1 – 0 at a windswept Gayfield Park two weeks ago.
Following the victory over Whitehill Welfare 3 –1 in the first round and a bye in the second, they were handed a tough 3rd round tie at home to Hearts, past winners of the cup and a side highly respected in youth football who boast several Scotland Youth players in their squad.
Despite starting nervously allowing Hearts to dictate play for the first 15 minutes, the young Lichties started to hold their own and had the best chance of the first half when Gavin Swankie made a great run down the left wing he crossed to Paul Durno who shot past.
Hearts created little in the way of chances, with Ewan Graham & Kevin McMullan at the centre of the home defence outstanding. Kenny McMillan was revelling in his new midfield role winning every tackle in the middle of the park.
With the strong wind at their backs Arbroath came out and dominated the second half, Gavin Swankie & Paul Farquharson was causing problems for the Hearts defence and following a foul at the edge of the box in the 65th minute, Farquharson stepped up and sent a curling shot past the visitors goalkeeper and into the net to put Arbroath 1 nil up.
The last 10 minutes of the match were the most exciting as both teams went at each other, the visitors keeper keeping them in the game with a fine saves from the lively Arbroath strike force, & Greg Hensley in defence making a couple of fine tackles to prevent the equaliser & Timmy Woodcock in the home goal dealing comfortably with the few shots Hearts had.
The victory was all the more satisfying in that 8 members of the squad can still play Under 18 football next year.