Press & Journal
ARBROATH found another unwanted place in the history books when Irvine Meadow became the first junior club to defeat a senior outfit in the Scottish Cup, seeing off the Red Lichties in a 1-0 win.
The goal came after 36 minutes when former St Mirren striker Brian McGinty left the Arbroath left flank trailing as he rushed to the goal line before pinpointing a cross which left striker Richie Barr the easy task of tapping the ball into the net from inside the six-yard area.
Furious Gayfield manager Jim Weir launched an attack on Meadow. Still upset at the comments which had been made by the Ayrshire club in the run-up to the game, Weir said: “To say that Arbroath were more used to playing on a ploughed field is also disrespectful to the clubs in the Second Division.
“I warned my players before the tie that they must be up for it. They must not take anything for granted. But they never got into the game. Our keeper pulled off some terrific saves
The Courier
ARBROATH were knocked out after a quality performance by junior outfit Irvine Meadow which deservedly saw them through to the fourth round.
With SFA chief executive Gordon Smith watching from the stands, the Lichties never got going. Gayfield manager Jim Weir said, “I am bitterly disappointed. They seemed to be on the front foot from the first whistle and we paid the price by conceding a soft goal.
“We didn’t handle the occasion and I feel for the Arbroath fans who didn’t get value for money.”
Meadow’s Richie Barr wrote himself into the history books as the hosts pulled off their shock victory. He netted in 36 minutes to send the Ayrshire side into the fourth round in their first appearance in the tournament.
Weir had warned Meadow could not be taken lightly but his words seemed to have fallen on deaf ears—and the Lichties had to rely on Darren Hill pulling off a string of saves to prevent a heavier loss.
“We were excellent all over the park and deserved to win,” said Meadow manager Chris Strain. We got the ball down and played well. We moved the ball about quickly and smartly and caused them a lot of trouble.”
Sunday Mail
RICHIE BARR wrote himself into Meadow's history books as the junior outfit pulled off a massive shock.
Barr netted in 36 minutes to give the Ayrshire side a chance of pulling a plum fourth-round tie on their first appearance in the tournament. SFA chief Gordon Smith watched from the stands as Arbroath never got going.
The result thrilled Meadow gaffer Chris Strain who said: "We were excellent all over the park and totally deserved to win. We got the ball down and played well. We moved the ball about quickly and smartly and caused them a lot of trouble.
We have a lot of players who have been at senior level and we know we're a fit side so we didn't fear anybody. Looking ahead to the draw Strain said: "If one of the big boys come out we'll settle for that but if one of the lower-league clubs come out we can handle that too."
Arbroath boss Jim Weir warned Meadow couldn't be taken lightly but his words seemed to have fallen on deaf ears as his side started on the back foot. In just four minutes Barr's weighted pass found Brian McGinty and he played in Gareth Turner who was denied by Darren Hill's block.
Meadow almost went ahead in 22 minutes when David Hamilton's inch-perfect pass carved open the defence and released Barr. The frontman muscled off the challenge of Jamie Bishop only to see his strike parried superbly by Hill. Strain's side continued to press and reaped the reward nine minutes from half-time. McGinty raced down the right touchline before squaring across goal for Barr who tucked away the opener.
Arbroath almost suffered a second blow 60 seconds later when Hamilton unleashed a pile driver from distance that Hill had to acrobatically tip over. The second 45 began similar to the first with Meadow breathing down heavily on the Arbroath goal and Turner's stinging effort from 25 yards forced another superb save out of Hill.
Arbroath were in need of inspiration and almost got it in 53 minutes when Meadow keeper Michael Wardrope's delayed clearance was closed down by Steven Hislop a few yards from goal.However, the striker was unable to capitalise on the goalie's error.
Turner could have added a second after some fancy footwork on the edge of the box but Hill was on hand again to save Arbroath's blushes. Weir's men tried to claw their way back into the tie but couldn't create clearcut chances and Meadow fans went wild when the final whistle sounded.
Stunned Arbroath boss Weir said: "They seemed to be on the front foot from the first whistle and we paid the price by conceding a soft goal. We didn't handle the occasion and I feel for the Arbroath fans who didn't get value for money.
Meadow were disrespectful in the build-up to the game by criticising the pitches we play on. Saying Arbroath are used to playing on ploughed fields is a ridiculous comment. It's a disservice to the other teams we play in the Second Division."
>> Terms & Conditions