Relichtie

Memorable matches No. 16

   December 7 1985                         Stranraer 1-6 Arbroath           Scottish League Division 2

I've included this match for two reasons, the first being it was my first visit to Stranraer, and the second that it was the highest scoring away win that I had been at. The bus left at 9.30 am, and stopped at Girvan for an hour around 12 pm. When we did arrive in the gateway to Ireland, it was pouring down with rain. Both ends of the ground were open then, so we ended up in the covered terracing across from the stand in an attempt to stay dry.

 The conditions seemed to suit Arbroath though, as after a couple of early chances for the Blues, a McGuire free kick, and a header from the same player from a Sweeney cross, Arbroath took the lead in their first attack. The trialist left winger fired in a superb cross and Torrance headed home. Stranraer tried to hit back immediately, and Jackson twice had to save from Knox and McGuire, before the maroons broke away and a cross from Lynch fell to Torrance in the box and he drove the ball into the net. The homesters kept attacking, and Jackson was the busier keeper.

Arbroath started the second half in determined fashion and Mackie scored from the edge of the box in 56 mins. to put the lichties 3-0 up. McWalter made it four when he headed in a Mackie free kick on the hour mark, and six minutes later Torrance got his hat trick, and Arbroath's fifth when he ran on to a through ball and shot past the advancing keeper. McGuire pulled a goal back for Stranraer in 71 mins., but Arbroath had the last word when McWalter pounced on a rebound and scored from 10 yards.

Stranraer - Noonan, O'Donnell, Cousar, Quinn, McDougall, McDonald, Logan, Sweeney, Mauchlen, Knox, McGuire. subs McCabe and Higgins.

Arbroath - Jackson, Lynch, Young, Curran, Glover, Paterson, Hill, Mackie, Torrance, McWalter, Trialist. subs Kirkcaldy and O'Neill.

Referee A. Ferguson, Giffnock.

Attendance 300.

The trialist was Paul Jack, I believe, and he signed for us a few days later.

This left the table 

After leading the league for the first five weeks the Lichties had slipped to 3rd, and they never got back into the top two again for this season.

The bus left immediately after the game, and leaving Stranraer it was pitch black outside, and wet and miserable, so I took the opportunity to grab some kip. I woke up with the lights outside thinking we were at Dundee, but sadly no, we were only approaching Glasgow and it was nearing 7 pm. A stop at a chippie ( or the pub ) in Auchterarder, we finally arrived back home at 9.30 pm. What a journey. Never again I said, but I went on the next trip to Stranraer a few months later, a 4-1 win.

Picture from 4-1 game on Saturday March 8 1986.

Arbroath goal scorers - Torrance, Fotheringham, McWalter, Brannigan.

Arbroath - Jackson, Lynch, Hill, Curran, McDonald, Jack, Fotheringham, Mackie, Torrance, McWalter, Brannigan. subs Paterson ad Kirkcaldy.

Attendance 200.

Back                                  Stranraer Stats