Stirling Albion 1
Arbroath 2
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Match Report

Arbroath claimed a win over an impressive Stirling Albion this afternoon at a sweltering and sticky Forthbank Stadium.

Arbroath welcomed back Scott Stewart, David Gold and Michael McKenna to the squad with Kenan Dunnwald-Turan starting alongside Leighton McIntosh up front. Trialist 34 who impressed against Brechin City, but missed Montrose due to injury was back today and started in midfield, whilst a new trialist striker was also on the bench.

The home side featured former Lichties Greig Spence and Dale Hilson in attack. Arbroath attacked the South goals in the first half and in the opening 90 seconds both sides had attacking moves with Arbroath winning their first corner of the game after a minute on the clock. The Bino’s Kieran Moore headed wide after just 5 minutes at the back post after a cross, with Arbroath’s first shot coming 3 minutes later after Leighton McIntosh turned quickly in the box before firing a shot at goal which Weir had to save.

Two minutes later and good play by Turan set up McIntosh for another shot, then in the 12th minute Mark Stowe latched onto a loose ball into the box and his curling shot looked goal bound but was deflected away by a defender. In the 15th minute, trialist 34 set up an Arbroath attack after clever play and won another corner, but a quick counter attack by Stirling Albion seen Adams have to be alert to punch away the ball. Dale Hilson who was as you expected creating problems for the Arbroath defence looked set to open the scoring but a fantastic tackle by Ricky Little denoted his former team-mate.

A sliding tackle by Scott Allan which earned him a booking earned Hilson the chance to fire at goal from a free-kick in the 32nd minute but Adams was up to it and punched the free kick away. Greig Spence found space between Thomas O’Brien and Little but as he closed in on goal he shot over the bar. Arbroath’s goal came in the 35th minute when a run down the wing by Stowe, seen his cross come into the box and Ryan Dow was there at the back post to poke the ball into the empty net. Dale Hilson was also booked for a challenge on Leighton McIntosh. Kieran Moore leveled for Stirling Albion in the 39th minute as he found the corner of the net with a nice strike from the edge of the 18 yard box. Arbroath won one final corner before the referee blew for half time

HT - Stirling Albion 1 - 1 Arbroath.

At the break Arbroath brought on David Gold, Michael McKenna, Scott Stewart, Keaghan Jacobs and striker Trialist 39 for João Baldé, Scott Allan, Mark Stowe, Keran Turan and Trialist 34. Stirling Albion replaced goalkeeper Mark Weir with Blair Currie also at the break. David Gold had a surging run forward after winning possession in the 52nd minute and he found trialist 39 who was just wide with his first shot of the game. Leighton McIntosh teamed up well with both Turan and #39 and his pace, strength and desire to push forward will be a huge asset this season. Aaron Steele headed just over from a Michael McKenna corner in the 55th minute before Stirling Albion made 4 changes on the hour mark. Robert Thomson, Dale Carrick, Adam Cummins and Lewis Milne came on to replace Greig Spence, Aaron Dunsmore, Paul McLean and Jack Leitch.

#39 showed great feet and strength as he took on 4 defenders only to be crowded out before he could shoot in the 66th minute. Ali Adams showed just how big a player he could be for Arbroath this season with an incredible save from Dale Carrick. The Stirling Albion danger man rose to head a cross and it looked goal bound but Adam’s instinctive save denied the prolific hit man. #39 once again caught the eye as he took the ball at his feet before weaving past the home defence just being pushed wide. From control, strength, holding the ball up and pushing forward the trialist was really impressing.

Another water break seen Kieran Moore replaced by Godwin for the last change by Stirling Albion. Former Arbroath player Dale Hilson was given a round of applause when he was substituted by the Arbroath support as a lovely show of respect. The trialist got the goal he deserved in the 78th minute. David Gold showed tenacity not giving up and finally lost his marker on the 4th attempt before his cross ball was won by Ryan Dow who fed in #39 and he took a touch before unleashing an absolute rocket into the top corner to give Arbroath the lead. Aaron Steele unleashed a monster throw in to the penalty spot which took a few touches before the trailist tried an acrobatic effort which was just over.

HT - Stirling Albion 1 - 2 Arbroath

A good work out against a very hard working and skilled Stirling Albion side who will no doubt be full of confidence going into League One after winning League Two last season. More minutes for many of the Arbroath players and some more trialist performances for Manager Dick Campbell to think about.

Match report written by Arbroath FC Official Website