Arbroath suffered a rare defeat this afternoon as they were knocked out of the William Hill Scottish Cup by Stranraer.
The scoreline certainly didn’t reflect the story of the match with Arbroath on top for long periods but a goal by Ian Smith on the break in the 76th was enough to put the Blues through where they will travel to Partick Thistle in the 4th round.
Arbroath made one change with Ryan McCord replacing Gavin Swankie who was on the bench with a slight knock.
The game started in a frantic manner as David Brownlie came close for Stranraer in the opening 90 seconds before play switched to the other end and Max Currie denied Ryan Wallace with an excellent save.
Ryan again came close in the 8th minute as he latched onto a through ball but as he ran towards goal he shot first time just firing wide of the post.
Arbroath were dominating and there was a hunger to the play with everyone running and chasing every ball and closing down Stranraer at every opportunity. Stranraer were happy to defend and hit on the break.
Ryan McCord had a free kick from 18 yards pushed round the post in the 23rd minute then 7 minutes later Arbroath should have taken the lead.
Bobby Linn skinned Jamie Hamill before putting a delicious cross into the box. Danny Denholm hit the ball on the volley but Currie produced a wonder save, but as the ball fell back to Danny he hit it again on the volley but blazed over from 2 yards.
Michael McKenna also forced Currie into a save just before half time.
Half Time – Arbroath 0 – 0 Stranraer
Possession – Arbroath 56% – 44% Stranraer
Total Shots – Arbroath 7 – 2 Stranraer
On Target – Arbroath 4 – 0 Stranraer
Off Target – Arbroath 3 – 2 Stranraer
Blocked – Arbroath 2 – 0 Stranraer
Corners – Arbroath 5 – 4 Stranraer
Fouls Committed – Arbroath 2 – 5 Stranraer
The Lichties started the second half the same way they finished the first by attacking the Stranraer goal with Wallace and Linn both coming close minutes into the second half.
Michael McKenna was being fouled all over the pitch and David Brownlie and Andrew McDonald were both booked for fouls on McKenna
Mark Lamont was introduced on the hour mark for Stranraer and his introduction certainly seemed to change the style of Stranraer’s play.
Darren Jamieson who hadn’t been called into action made an excellent save from PJ Crossan in the 66th minute.
Arbroath introduced Omar Kader, Mark Whatley and Steven Doris for Danny Denholm, Ryan McCord and Ryan Wallace.
Arbroath then had another excellent chance to score as Bobby Linn flashed into the Stranraer box. It looked like he was going to shoot past Adam Cummins but instead turned back the way but before he could pull the trigger Hamill was back to block.
David Gold and Michael McKenna again tried from distance but Stranraer took the lead in the 76th minute. A cross from the right wing found Ian Smith at the back post and his shot snuck under Jason Thomson and seemed to bounce high and then beat Jamieson at his far post.
Arbroath rallied but as they pushed more men forward for an equaliser it created more space for Stranraer to hit on the break. The Arbroath attack seemed to suffer with McCord and Wallace leaving the pitch.
A series of bad fouls and time wasting brought more passion to the game but Arbroath just couldn’t find a way back.
Full Time – Arbroath 0 – 1 Stranraer
Possession – Arbroath 49% – 51% Stranraer
Total Shots – Arbroath 15 – 7 Stranraer
On Target – Arbroath 5 – 2 Stranraer
Off Target – Arbroath 9 – 4 Stranraer
Blocked – Arbroath 1 – 1 Stranraer
Corners – Arbroath 8 – 7 Stranraer
Fouls Committed – Arbroath 6 – 13 Stranraer
A disappointing result after a very good performance and our Scottish Cup adventures ends at round 3.
However focus turns back to league action next week as we welcome Stenhousemuir to Gayfield.
C’mon the Lichties
Arbroath
1 – Darren Jamieson
2 – Jason Thomson
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little (c)
5 – Thomas O’Brien
6 – David Gold
7 – Danny Denholm (Kader 68)
8 – Ryan McCord (Whatley 68)
9 – Ryan Wallace (Doris 68)
10 – Michael McKenna
11 – Bobby Linn
Substitutes
12 – Gavin Swankie
14 – Omar Kader – 7; 68th
15 – Mark Whatley – 8; 68th
16 – Steven Doris – 9; 68th
21 – Darren Hill (GK)
Yellow Cards – O’Brien 79, Hamilton 82
Stranraer
1 – Max Currie
22 – Jamie Hamill (c)
05 – David Brownlie
04 – Andrew McDonald
23 – Adam Cummins
6 – Connor McManus (Ashmore 82)
8 – Kyle Turner
17 – David Smith (Lamont 59)
12 – Ian Smith
10 – Luke Donnelly
20 – Paul Crossan (Diver 90)
Substitutes
3 – Chris McGowan
7 – Mark Lamont – 17; 59th
16 – Max Ashmore – 6; 82nd
19 – Ciaran Diver – 20; 90th
13 – Lyle Avci (GK)
Goal – I. Smith 76
Yellow Cards – Cummins 22, Brownlie 58, McDonald 60, Hamill 78, I. Smith 86
Attendance; 496
Officials;
Referee – David Dickinson
Assistant Referee 1 – David Doig
Assistant Referee 2 – Barry Reid
