Arbroath1–4Alloa

Arbroath suffered defeat to Championship Side Alloa Athletic today in the first round of the Petrofac Training Cup. Arbroath lined up with Crawford in goal, Travis at right back, Johnstone at left back with Ross Fisher partnering Ricky Little in the centre of defence. Adam Hunter and captain Kevin Nicoll were the heart of midfield with McBride on the left and Linn on the right and Murray and McManus up front.

Allan Moore’s first competitive game took place in a sun soaked Gayfield with a crowd of 560 in attendance. Kevin Nicoll tested John Gibson after only 3 minutes but his long range drive was well saved, however Stephen Simmon cast a dark cloud over the hearts of all the Lichtie’s as he thundered in a 30 yard volley looping over the helpless David Crawford in goals. It was a spectacular strike and no keeper in the world would have been able to save it. Arbroath were left off the hook when Spence was flagged for offside after heading the ball past Crawford but it seemed to spur Arbroath into action and a long period of sustained pressure and several corners.

A long pass from Craig Johnstone found Paul McManus but Docherty made a brilliant recovery tackle. The first half ended with Alloa coming more into the game and their number nine Greig Spence looked dangerous every time he was near the ball.

Half time – Arbroath 0 – 1 Alloa Athletic

The second half started at a frantic pace with Crawford pulling off a great save again from Spence before Kevin Nicoll hit a 40 yard effort which Gibson tipped over for a corner kick. Spence wasn’t to be denied for much longer as he got on the end of Buchanan’s cut back to make it 2-0 after 54 minutes. Arbroath replaced Kevin Nicoll with Mark Whatley in the 57th minute.

Bobby Linn was denied what looked like a clear penalty kick in the 68th minute but the referee waved play on and of course Alloa went up the pitch and Spence got his second of the game. Whatley was also denied as he got a shot in on goal but his effort took a deflection onto the post with the rebound falling at the feet of an Alloa player.

Arbroath’s misery was complete as Spence finally got his hat trick firing in a header at the back post in the 83rd minute, but Arbroath did pull one back with Simon Murray firing in and the deflected shot finding the back of the net.

As Allan Moore led his players back onto the pitch after the full time whistle he knows he still has work to do to get the team playing to his standard, but with Championship side Alloa today and SPFL side Hamilton next week it could be our two toughest games of the entire season are our first two.