Arbroath 1
Montrose 3
Testimonial (Ricky Little Testimonial)

Match Report

A huge thank you to everyone involved and everyone who attended to give Ricky and his family a deserved afternoon. The result unfortunately didn't go Ricky's way, but he did score a cracker of a goal.

Arbroath were without Scott Stewart, David Gold, Michael McKenna and Craig Slater and handed a debut to Mark Stowe who just met his Arbroath team-mates for the first time on Wednesday after returning from Holiday. Two trialists were given a start, with number 15 starting up front and number 12 also playing in an attacking role.

After a guard of honour the two sides got to it, with Arbroath attacking the Harbour end with the Lichties playing a 3-5-2 formation. Montrose had a chance in the 6th minute when Batchelor poked home a cross but his shot was wide of Gaston's post. Debutant Stowe cut in and had a curling shot deflected just under the post with Scott Allan's curling corner just flying past the far post of Cammy Gill. Stowe shot again from distance on the 18th minute but his shot was over the bar.

Arbroath's best move of the first half came in the 29th minute with a slick passing move up the field but trialist 12's cross couldn't find Stowe at the back post. Montrose took the lead in the 36th minute as a challenge seen the ball fall kindly for Batchelor who raced into the box and finished well from a tight angle. Scott Allan had a free kick wide of the post 2 minutes later then in the 40th minute Trialist 12 broke free of the offside trap, but shot over as Gill came running out.

Half Time - Arbroath 0 - 1 Montrose.

Ali Adams replaced Derek Gaston and Leighton McIntosh replaced Joao Balde at half time. Just 5 minutes into the second half and a Mark Stowe corner kick was met emphatically by Ricky Little who headed home to draw the game level. Arbroath were on the attack, but just in the final 3rd the final pass or cross was either always defended or just slack.

Trialist 17 and 18 replaced Trialist 12 and Stowe on the hour mark and then Trialist 16 replaced Trialist 15 just 3 minutes later. Callum Grant entered the field for Montrose in the 70th minute and just 60 seconds later he scored. Special guests Bobby Linn and Gavin Swankie came on for Scott Allan and Keaghan Jacobs in the 72 minute.
With just two minutes to go, Grant netted his second from close range to make it 3-1 to Montrose. Not the result Arbroath or Ricky wanted, but a fantastic turn out and a great day for the Little family!

Match report written by Arbroath FC Official Website