St Mirren 4
Arbroath 0
Scottish League Cup (Group Stage)

Match Report

The Lichties suffered a heavy defeat at St Mirren Park this afternoon in their 2nd match in theViaPlay Cup as they lost 4-0 to Top seeds in Group H, Premiership side St Mirren.

Arbroath made 3 changes as David Gold, Kenan Dünnwald-Turan and Scott Allan dropped to bench and Mark Stowe, João Baldé and Craig Slater all come in.

The Lichties lined up with Gaston in goal, then a back 4 of Steele, Little, O’Brien and Stewart deputising at left back, then Stowe, Balde, Slater, Dow with McKenna just in behind Bird. Colin Hamilton and Jess Norey missed out as they both were put through their paces in the warm up.

Arbroath made a positive start with Ryan Dow putting in a cross in the second minute which Hemming had to be alert to as it was going in under the bar.

However St Mirren were looking hungry, and having finished 6th in the Premiership last season they took the lead after just 10 minutes. A goal mouth scramble was cleared, but the second ball was hit into the box by Australian wing-back Ryan Strain where Mikael Mandron had space to head in at the back post.

Arbroath won a corner just 2 minutes later as they looked to get back into things, but it was cleared by the hosts.

St Mirren should have doubled their lead in the 15th as Ryan Strain missed an open goal but former loan Lichtie Olusanya forced Gaston into making a fine save on the rebound before Kitties effort was cleared off the line.

Mandron could have added to his tally in the 18th and 23rd minute but Derek Gaston was again in fine form to deny the Lichties.

Arbroath were dealt a blow as Aaron Steele was forced off after 23 minutes with an injury. David Gold came on to cover at right back.

Yet again Mandron could have been on the score sheet in the 35th minute but again Gaston was up to the test.

Captain Mark O'Hara added a second for St Mirren just before the break as he found a worrying amount of space before firing directly at Gaston.

Half Time Stats - St Mirren 2 - 0 Arbroath

Possession - St Mirren 55% - 45% Arbroath
Shots - St Mirren 10 - 2 Arbroath
Shots on Target - St Mirren 7 - 0 Arbroath
Shots Off Target - St Mirren 1 - 1 Arbroath
Blocked - St Mirren 2 - 1 Arbroath
Corners - St Mirren 5 - 1 Arbroath
Fouls - St Mirren 3 - 5 Arbroath

Arbroath definitely came out looking more composed and going on the attack, but Mark Stowe’s curling effort after 54 minutes before Craig Slater had a shot bounce off the post in the 65th minute after good build up play.

In the 70th minute Arbroath made two changes Leighton McIntosh and Kenan Dünnwald-Turan came on for Michael McKenna and Jay Bird.

Yet, just seconds later as Arbroath were on the attack, the Buddies broke on a quick counter and on-loan Maccabi Haifa striker Stav Nahmani scored.

Balde had a shot across the box in the 75th minute before Keaghan Jacobs came on for Craig Slater.

Arbroath competed in the second half but St Mirren added a third on the break when Stav Nahmani in the 71st minute.

Substitute Nahmani added a 4th in the 79th minute, before Leighton McIntosh had Arbroath’s first real shot on goal in the 80th minute forcing Hemmings into a low save.

Stowe then hit the side netting a few minutes later, but as the time ran down it was the hosts who were celebrating at full time.

FullTime Stats - St Mirren 4 - 0 Arbroath

Possession - St Mirren 56% - 44% Arbroath
Shots - St Mirren 19 - 7 Arbroath
Shots on Target - St Mirren 11 - 1 Arbroath
Shots Off Target - St Mirren 5 - 4 Arbroath
Blocked - St Mirren 3 - 2 Arbroath
Corners - St Mirren 7 - 1 Arbroath
Fouls - St Mirren 12 - 10 Arbroath

It was a tough test today for Arbroath against a very good Premiership side. Arbroath now travel to Forfar on Tuesday night needing 2 wins from their last 2 games to be in a chance of qualifying.

A huge thank you to the 134 traveling Lichties who cheered on the team.

Match report written by Arbroath FC Official Website