Relichtie
Quarter finals No. 3
March 8 1975 Arbroath 2-2 Airdrie Scottish Cup
This was Arbroath's first appearance in the quarter finals of the national cup competition for 28 years. Victories in the 3rd and 4th round against East Stirling, 1-0, and Albion Rovers, 2-0, with all the goals scored by Jimmy Bone, had set up this meeting between the clubs, and with local old boy Tommy Walker in the Diamonds ranks, his former team mates would be hoping to put one over on him and his new team.
It looked to be the other way round though, as in the 13th minute he hit a raking 30 yard effort to put the visitors ahead. Four minutes later he started a move with a fine pass to McCulloch, and when his cross came in to the box, Walker forced the ball in, having continued his run deep in to the box. Airdrie, at this point looked as if they would run away with the match, but Arbroath struck back. Penman hit a free kick against the Airdrie wall, and when the ball rebounded to him, he smacked a left foot drive in to the net via the post.
Arbroath then had their best spell of the match, Airdrie resorting to rough tactics, indeed having two booked for heavy tackles. Five minutes from the break the lichties brought the match level. Sellars gained a free kick on the edge of the box, and Penman floated a perfect cross into the goalmouth, for the right winger to glance past McWilliams.
The second half didn't quite reach the heights of the first, Whiteford hit the bar for Airdrie, and then he headed over with only Wilson to beat. Ten minutes from time the Diamonds seemed to have won the match when Whiteford had a shot blocked by Wilson, the ball broke to Gallacher who netted. The linesman signalled a goal, but Referee Paterson overruled him and awarded a free kick to Arbroath. Five minutes later Sellars could have won it for the lichties when put through on goal by Cant, but his lob went wide.
Arbroath - Wilson, Milne, Murray, Cargill, Carson, Smith, Sellars, Cant, Bone, Penman, Rylance. subs Fletcher and Reid.
Airdrie - McWilliams, Jonquin, Lapsley, Menzies, Black, Whiteford, McCann, Reynolds, McCulloch, Walker, Wilson. subs Anderson and Gallacher.
Referee J.W. Paterson, Bothwell.
Attendance 4287.
The replay four days later at Broomfield, saw Arbroath bow out of the cup.
Airdrie pressed the lichties back right from the start with the almost constant pressure only relieved in the 18th min. when Murray hit the post from a Penman cross. Half time came with no goals, but the constant pressing saw the Diamonds go ahead in the 63rd min. when Walker (again) crossed for McCulloch to shoot home. Two minutes later it was 2-0 when Reynolds took a corner and Whiteford volleyed a spectacular goal. Jonquin made it 3-0 from the penalty spot in the 88th min. after Whiteford had been pulled down in the box.
Airdrie - same team.
Arbroath - Marshall, Murray, Milne, Cargill, Carson, Smith, Sellars, Cant, Bone, Penman, Rylance. subs Fletcher and Wells.
Referee A. McKenzie, Larbert.