Published: Wednesday, 6th August, 2008 12:00
Alloa blown away at Gayfield
By John Simpson
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Arbroath 4 v 1 Alloa
Andy Ferguson scored Alloa's consolation goal.
PROMOTED Arbroath had their fans in raptures at Gayfield on Saturday when they blew Alloa away in the opening Second Division match of the new season.
A couple of early goals set John McGlashan’s boys up for victory but even although Alloa found the net six minutes into the second half, they were unable to knock a sweet moving home side off their stride.
With only seven minutes gone the home boys stunned Alloa with the opener. Barry Sellars – a menace throughtout the match – saw his free-kick blocked inside the box but the ball spun out for Alan Rattray to drive into the net from eight yards.
Jamie Stevenson shot over the top then Alloa midfielder John Grant found himself booked for a rough challege in 12 minutes.
But in 23 minutes, the home boys added their second goal. Sellars started the move, feeding Rennie on the right. His cross caught Alloa napping leaving Sellars to beat Jellema with a strong eight yard header.
So far Alloa’s attack had not been seen to any real advantage, with strikers Graeme Brown and Andy Scott kept under a tight rein.
Stevenson drove over the home bar then his free kick was blocked before Pat Scullion sent over the top from the rebound.
Alloa’s problems were far from over, Arbroath adding their third goal in 38 minutes. Gates collected a fine pass from Sellars, and left Buist for dead on the left before sending over a sweet cross for Scott to knock past the helpless Jellema from six yards.
Alloa rallied just before the break but when Brown sent a tidy short pass to McKeown, his shot was blocked.
Alloa brought on youngster Francis Kelly for McKeown, and the Wasps showed some improvement, with Andy Ferguson just failing to connect in the box with Hill’s lob forward.
Ferguson did find the net direct from a 56 minute free-kick after Jamie Bishop was booked for hauling down Stevenson.
Andy Scott – on for Brown in 65 minutes – tried a shot on the turn which was not far off the mark.
And Stevenson cut back a lovely ball for Scullion but his shot was pushed over the bar by Hill.
Home substitute Terry Masson was booked in 63 minutes as was Townsley for the Wasps as the game began to turn in Arbroath’s favour once more.
Kelly sprinted at the home defence, hoping to find the net in 74 minutes, but was stopped just outside the box by Masson’s outstretched foot.
Sealed
Two minutes from the end, Arbroath sealed the win – substitute Andy Reilly running quickly through before beating Jellema low at the right.
ARBROATH. – Hill. Rennie, Black, Rattray, Bishop, Fraser (Masson 61), McMullen, Lunan, Scott (Wright 87), Sellars, Gates (Reilly 65). Subs. not used: Raeside, Morrison.
ALLOA. – Jellema, Buist, Hill, Scullion, Townsley, McClune, Stevenson, McKeown (Kelly 46), Ferguson (MacAulay 77), Grant, Brown (Scott 65). Subs. not used: Hay, O’Boyle.
Referee. – Frank McDermott.
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Alloa pick up first away point