Arbroath Vics made the short trip up the A92 to meet league leaders Broughty Athletic in an East Region North Division fixture on Saturday. Manager Jake Ferrier was forced into two changes from the side that hit six past East Craigie the previous week; David McLeish and Kris McWalter coming in for Gavin Norrie and Robert Urquhart, who chipped a bone in his foot during last week’s encounter.

Broughty created the first opening in the third minute when Robert Smith played a corner short to James Russell who went down in the box as Matty Johnston challenged, but the referee waved aside all claims for a penalty as the ball ran behind for a goal-kick. Matty Johnston was soon involved at the other end, breaking into the Broughty box to win a corner, but Garry Warren’s flag-kick came to nothing.

With 13 minutes played, Vics found themselves a goal down.  JOSH PERERA swapped passes with Gary Munn, and although he looked to have used a hand to bring the ball under control, the referee saw nothing amiss and he ran on to pick his spot beyond Steve Reid as Vics stopped playing.

Seven minutes later, Vics gifted Broughty a second goal.  Having been awarded a free-kick in their own half, Vics elected to play the ball back instead of forward and after three successive passes the ball found its way at the feet of Steve Reid.  The keeper completely sliced his clearance and the ball spun straight to DEREK FARRELL who is unlikely to score an easier goal all season rolling it back beyond Steve Reid.

James Russell picked up a booking for dissent before Kris McWalter curled a 20-yard shot over the Broughty bar after Scott Pearson had slipped trying to reach a Kevin Laing throw-in. Play had become bogged down in midfield with little to trouble either keeper. Vics best move of the half saw Garry Warren advance up the left and cross to the far post where Craig Watson headed the ball down for Matty Johnston.  He in turn crossed the ball back into the box where Scott Pearson sent in a header, which dropped just wide of the upright. Matthew Gove was booked for impeding Derek Farrell as he tried to break into the box, but James Russell’s shot from the resultant free-kick broke off the defensive wall and deflected behind for a corner, which was easily cleared.

                                                                 Half-time: Broughty Athletic 2   Arbroath Vics 0

Vics created an opening inside the first minute of the second period when Scott Pearson sent the ball through for Craig Watson, but as Bobby Brown tried to challenge, the striker saw his shot roll wide of the post as Alan Cormack came out to narrow the angle.
Ian McLeod almost scored an unexpected third for Broughty with an intended cross, which he miscued, and the ball came back off the inside of the far post with Kevin Laing being first to react to the rebound and clear behind for a corner.

At the other end, a David McLeish cross saw Craig Watson rise to get in a header, which broke back to Kris McWalter and his 20-yard shot just cleared the bar. In Vics next attack, Broughty struggled to clear their lines as the ball bounced about the box before Scott Pearson fired in attempt, which cannoned off a defender and behind for a corner. Play was far from inspiring and after David McLeish was booked, both teams made a change in personnel.  Broughty sent on Graham Allan for Josh Perera while Jordan Webster was handed his debut for Vics in place of Craig Watson.

Broughty then made a couple of further changes when Gary Munn and Ross Cormack made way for Barry Murdoch and Paul Morrison. Veteran defender, Bobby Brown almost snatched a third for Broughty in the 83rd minute when he got on the end of a Robert Smith corner, but Steve Reid got down to push his header off the line before the ball was turned away for a throw-in.

With two minutes remaining, Kevin Durno was booked for upending James Russell a yard from the box and from the resultant free-kick, Steve Reid had to look smart to dive low to his left to turn James Russell’s shot round the post, which was the last incident of note in a lackluster game.

Teams:
Broughty Athletic:  12 Alan Cormack  14 Barry Myles  3 Bobby Brown  4 Gary Munn (sub 15 Barry Murdoch 77 mins)  5 Derek Farrell  6 Robert Smith  7 James Russell  18 Lee Bertie  19 Josh Perera (sub 2 Graham Allan 70 mins)  8 Ross Cormack (sub 16 Paul Morrison 77 mins)  11 Ian McLeod.  Unused subs: 1 Mark Anderson  9 Ross Kenny.

Arbroath Vics:  1 Steve Reid  2 David McLeish  3 Kevin Laing  4 Matty Johnston  5 Matthew Gove  6 Kevin Durno  7 Kris McWalter  8 Mark Fotheringham  9 Craig Watson (sub 14 Jordan Webster 72 mins)  10 Scott Pearson  11 Garry Warren.  Unused subs:  12 Colin Lawson  15 Ross Burnett  Gk Chris Cargill.

Referee:  Mr. B. Cooper.

Vics are again guests of Broughty Athletic this Saturday, when the teams meet in the second round of the East of Scotland Cup.  Kick-off is at the earlier time of 1.30 p.m. and players should meet at Ogilvy Park at 12 noon.

Vics 170 CLUB

                                                                                   This Weeks Winners: £10 – No. 30 Yvonne Jones
                                                                                                                                £  5 – No. 100 Anita Boyes