Arbroath2–0St Johnstone

The Red Lichties stormed into the next round of the not so money spinning Forfarshire cup with the kind of performance which would have seen us through against East Fife last month. There were a lot of positive sides to a match especially considering the average age of the team playing.

Arbroath lined up with a number of changes from Saturday at Paisley. Wightie took over in goals for the night. Fallon, Flo, McAulay ,Ritchie, Euan Graham, Heenan, Arbuckle, Swankie, Mercer, Gardner. Subs: Anderson, Henslee, Cargill, Durno & Steele.

The St Johnstone team also was of course not the first team but did include big names such as Lovenkrands, Kemble & some bloke called Darren Jackson who I swear I once heard say in an interview many years ago that he would rather quit football than play reserve football on Monday & Thursday nights and sure enough he was as good as his word with a pretty dismal performance.

Arriving 20 minutes late (busy at work since the office burnt down a couple of weeks ago) I was informed it was still 0-0. 20 minutes late no harm in grabbing a pie I thought. But sure enough just as I turned my back the Lichties went into the lead. I am informed Heenan did well on the wing and put in a cross which Swankie stroked home with ease.

St Johnstone looked fairly strong in the middle but their defence was open to question. Arbroath forced a succession of corners with Kemble narrowly missing his own goal. From one corner the ball broke to Arbuckle who struck home and prove his intention to fight for a place.

The rain started to come down in the second half and Jackson was switched out of midfield and into attack which brought Saints significantly back into the game. The second half was fairly dominated by Saints who had a barrow load of efforts on goal. And credit where its due Craig Wight was in stunning form stopping everything coming his way. He got down low to grab some good efforts in what were difficult conditions.

Arbroath held on to the 2-0 win in an all round good performance. Heenan played more like his old self but it has to be said was a little outshone perhaps by Gavin Swankie who if he can bring his pace and bravery into the first team could soon be getting a few scouts looking after him as well. David Arbuckle was solid and determined. Innes Ritchie was a rock at the back and has rapidly become one of the most crucial signings in recent Arbroath history. And even more credit for another youngster in Euan Graham. Last time I saw him against Clydebank he had a bit of a nightmare debut but he was immense tonight and looked like he too could mature into a fine defender as good as Webby.

Man of the match tough to deny Heenan or Swankie but I'll give it to Euan Graham who kept "Premier class" Jackson & Lovenkrands at bay.