Arbroath 2
Nairn County 1
Scottish Cup (Third Round)

Match Report

Arbroath welcomed Nairn County to Gayfield in the first ever competitive match between the two sides on a bright, yet blustery Saturday afternoon. Allan Moore was hoping to be in the 4th round of the Cup when the remaining Championship and all 12 Premiership clubs enter. The Draw taking place on Monday 3rd of November at 2pm.

Allan Moore was forced into one change with Dylan Carreiro not being allowed to be cup-tied by Dundee so Jordan Lowdon slotted into the left wing role meaning with only one change Little, Nicoll, El-Zubaidi and McBride were in front of keeper David Crawford. Paul McManus and Simon Murray again spearheaded the attack with Linn, Stewart, Whatley and Lowdon sitting behind them in midfield. Adam Hunter missed out through injury but Craig Johnstone returned to the bench after overcoming his injury.

Nairn County kicked off the game shooting towards the harbour as Arbroath had to play into the low autumn sun. It was the Wee County who took the early initiative with Wayne Mackintosh having Nairn’s first effort at goal, but shooting past. MacKintosh was involved at the other end in conceding a corner which fell to Paul McManus but his volley zipped past. As both sets of supporters enjoyed a vocal battle it was Arbroath who upped the pressure and Bobby Linn slid in a beautiful defence splitting pass to Simon Murray who seconds later came agonisingly close.

Ricky Little was having lots of joy down the right wing and combined with the movement of Keiran Stewart in midfield Arbroath were starting to open up and find space and it was Murray who took advantage of the space when he broke down the right wing and ran right to the six yard line before picking out Bobby Linn who came rushing in only for Antell to make a fantastic save.

Jordan Lowdon was pushing forward on the left hand side and won Arbroath a corner kick in the 20th minute. Scott McBride won the header but his effort was deflected back into play and it was determination of Simon Murray who chased the defender not allowing him to clear before turning to goal to shot before MacKintosh made a last ditch tackle, the tackle took Murray’s leg instead of the ball and the referee pointed to the spot. Arbroath almost waited a full calendar year for their first penalty kick and now had their second in 2 weeks. Paul McManus took charge and slotted past Antell for his 10th goal of the season.

Arbroath should have killed the game off when moments after taking the lead Bobby Linn was through but Antell again saving to deny Linn. Lowdon was next for Arbroath with a 25 yard shot but again the experienced Antell denying Arbroath. Nairn had survived and started to get into the game with a good ten minute spell of pressure and passing with Duncanson and Halsman allowed to get shots towards Crawford’s goal. Arbroath almost got their second goal when Scott McBride broke free down the wing and crossed into the box where Murray leapt and met the ball with a powerful header but again Antell was there for Nairn.

Half time – Arbroath 1 – 0 Nairn County

The floodlights were on for the second half as the sun had long disappeared at a stark reminder that winter was close as the temperature dropped and the dark closed in. A Scott McBride free kick was Arbroath’s first chance in the second half after Bobby Linn was fouled but it was Linn who seconds later found Murray in the box with a beautiful chip pass with Murray leaping up and getting a powerful header on goal but again Antell was there to save and continue on from his fantastic first half performance. Murray again came close when he cut in from the edge of the box to shoot past the defender. Nairn County did have the ball in the back of the net when Crawford came rushing out but the away supporter’s celebrations were cut short when they noticed the stand side linesman had his flag up for offside.

Arbroath made their first change of the game with Craig Johnstone coming on for Jordan Lowdon and it was a telling one as Johnstone fed in Little who showed skill and determination as he sprinted into the ball sliding in to win a corner. Craig Johnstone took the corner kick and Scott McBride leapt over everyone to bullet in his 3rd goal of the season. Joy was to turn to anguish as just a few seconds after Nairn restarted David Crawford crumpled to the ground after making a clearance. The early signs were called for a substitute and after a lengthy period Crawford did rise to his feet but with a large brace to his right knee. Scott Morrison came on to replace Crawford in the 71st minute.

Bobby Linn was creating all sort of problems with his pace and with a direct run towards goal it looked certain he was about to score before a combination of Antell and a defender sliding in cleared the danger for Nairn. Paul McManus was replaced by Kevin Buchan for the final 12 minutes.

Nairn came back into the game late on with another spell of passing and possession and were rewarded in the 88th minute when Sean Webb found the back of the net. Scott Morrison was furious with his defenders after the seemed to switch off to let Nairn back in to the game which seemed secured. The game could have been sealed up when Simon Murray again ran the Nairn defence ragged and found space almost directly over the penalty spot but he put his effort past. A nervy period of injury time followed as the clock ran almost 7 minutes over the 90 mark with Ross Naismith forcing a good save from Morrison. Bobby Linn and Simon Murray both coming close in the dying seconds but it was relief all round as the referee finally blew his whistle for full time.

Match report written by Arbroath FC Official Website