Arbroath survive late onslaught to collect 3 precious points!

3 goals in the first 18 minutes did the damage at Shielfield Park as Arbroath picked up their 2^nd 3 points in successive weeks. Arbroath lined up with almost the same line up as last week, only with Ian Diack in for Farqy, with Alan Brazil moved to the right wing.

It only took Arbroath 90 seconds to get infront. A good ball from Cusi down the right hand side saw Greg Millar put in a superb left footed cross, and John McGlashan headed home from 6 yards out. Only 4 minutes later, Arbroath doubled their lead thanks to a fantastic volley from Alan Brazil. Greg Henslee turned his marker and crossed the ball in from the left hand side and Alan Brazil hammered the ball into the bottom corner from 10 yards out. What a start!

Arbroath went 3-0 up after 18 minutes, when Iain Diack capitalised on a poor pass between 2 Berwick defenders to go 1 on 1 with the keeper and coolly slot the ball into the bottom right corner. Surely even Arbroath couldn’t blow a lead like this!!

Berwick came right back into the game straight after this and scored 14 minutes before half time. A cross into the box from the right hand side was headed towards goal and after a fantastic goal line clearance from Greg Millar; Gareth Hutchinson headed the rebound home. Berwick were now pressing for a 2^nd, but it was Arbroath who had the best chance before half time. Alan Brazil was released down the right hand side and put in a fantastic cross to the feet of Ian Diack, but his finish went wide off the left hand side post when he looked destined to score. Soon after, the half time whistle blew.

Berwick came out for the 2^nd half the way they left the first, putting the Arbroath defence under constant pressure. Ian Little finally turned their pressure into a goal when he headed home a Davie Murie corner, to make the last 30 mins a very nervous time for the Lichties travelling support. Berwick were still having all the pressure, but Arbroath had 2 good chances at the other end. First, a fantastic run by Flyer saw him 1 on 1 with the keeper, but he was put under pressure right before he shot, and the ball went over the bar. Next, Alan Brazil dispossessed Davie Murie after he fannied about with the ball, but he Brazil was caught up with by Murie, but he still managed a good shot which O’Connor parried out for a corner.

In injury time, Berwick had their best chance off the 2^nd half. Gareth Hutchinson rose to meet a cross but thankfully his header hit the post and Marc McCulloch hoofed the ball away. Thirty seconds later the FT whistle blew, and Arbroath had secured the 3 points.

A great away win! We defended quite well 2^nd half, although there were some scary moments, we held out well. The first 20 minutes or so were fantastic, and Alan Brazil’s goal was superb! Flyer and Marco McCulloch were excellent when they came on, and it looked like we will finally have some competition for places now! Bring on Brechin!