Arbroath3–3Forfar

It was a dramatic evening at Gayfield tonight as the Forfarshire Cup Final went to penalty kicks.

It was a much changed Arbroath line up with 18 year old Calum Brodie in goal with Craig Wilson and Jordan Lowdon at right and left back and midfielder Keiran Stewart partnering Andy Munro in the heart of defence. Kieran McWalter and Jamie Clarke were holding midfielders sitting behind David Gold with Jamie Reid and Joao Victoria on the wings and Kane Hester up front.

Bobby Linn, Mark Whatley and Sergio Alvarez were on the bench alongside Allan Fleming.

Arbroath had made a dream start against an experienced Forfar side when Andy Munro headed the Lichties into the lead in the 2nd minute. The action was fast paced with efforts at either end and Calum Brodie handling the pressure comfortably in goal making some good saves and at the other end Kane Hester giving ex Lichtie Kevin Nicoll a torrid time with his pace.

Forfar got back into the game when Brodie conceded a penalty and Lewis Allan struck home in the 25th minute. In the 31st minute Kerr Hay looked to be yards off side as the ball fell to him at the back post and he slotted in from a tight angle to give Forfar the advantage, however just as half time approached Kane Hester scored to draw the game level after a free kick was whipped into the box by Jordan Lowdon and knocked down into Hester's path by Jamie Clarke.

Half time - Arbroath 2 - 2 Forfar Athletic

Into the second 45 minutes and both teams continued to attack and Forfar took the lead once again when a curling cross-come-shot was palmed away from underneath the cross bar by Brodie but it fell to Chris Templeman who poked in.

Kevin Nicoll was booked for a late challenge on Craig Wilson and was shortly substituted to be replaced by former ex Lichtie Michael Travis.
Arbroath soaked up a spell of pressure but were back on level terms when David Gold curled home a fantastic goal from outside the 18 yard in the 72nd minute to square things yet again.

As the clock ticked down both sides had chances to steal the win but as the referee signalled for full time it was announced that the game would be decided on penalties.

Full time - Arbroath 3 - 3 Forfar Athletic

It was Forfar who took the first pen but missed via Danny Denholm. Munro, Reid, Lowdon and Linn scored for Arbroath but Jamie Clarke had the chance to win it for Arbroath but King in the Forfar goal saved his effort sending it to sudden death. After Forfar scored it was down to McWalter to keep Arbroath in it but his kick was over the bar which sealed the win for the Loons.

Final Score - Arbroath 3 - 3 Forfar Athletic (4-5 Penalty Kicks)

Congratulations to Forfar on winning the Forfarshire Cup.

It was an incredibly entertaining game of football and some of the Arbroath players will have given the management team something to think about in the upcoming fixtures.