Football roundup: Aberdeen new boys feature in five-goal romp at Arbroath

SCOTTISH Football moved back towards a sense of normality at the weekend by returning to playing the game. However, it was not enough to bring a smile to Arbroath manager Paul Sheerin as his side went down 5-1 to Aberdeen.

Rory Fallon, Josh Magennis, Mitchell Megginson and forgotten man Michael Paton had the Dons cruising before Lee Sibanda and Scott Vernon exchanged late penalties to leave the Gayfield boss deflated.

Sheerin said: “I do not normally criticise my players, but our performance was not acceptable. We are miles away from where we should be.”

Pittodrie counterpart Craig Brown, who gave substitute debut appearances to summer signings Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn, refused to get carried away. “There were some decent performances and that will do for just now,” he said. Brown also revealed that he was still looking to add to his squad ahead of the new season.

He has signed wide players McGinn and Hayes this summer, with the likes of Kari Arnason and Darren Mackie moving on.

Brown also believes youngsters such as Joe Shaughnessy and Nicky Low, who were on loan with Forfar last season, can make an impact.

Brown told RedTV: “I think with maybe another signing to give us cover we’ll be ready to start the season.

“We have got several irons in the fire, but if we don’t, it’s not the end of the world. We have signed seven young players – four under-19s and three from Forfar.”

The Dons also look set to lose midfielder Fraser Fyvie in the coming weeks. The teenager’s contract expires in December but he refused an extension and is keen to leave this summer.

“There’s been interest, I’m told, from Fulham and Wigan,” Brown said. “He has got his agent on the case, trying to get him sorted before the start of the season.”

Brown’s under-20 side travelled further south to face Cowdenbeath and Jordon Brown earned them a 1-1 draw when he cancelled out Marc McKenzie’s opener for the Blue Brazil just before half-time.

St Johnstone saw off Partick Thistle 2-1 behind closed doors with Liam Craig’s free-kick putting the Perth men in front, Christie Elliot equalising and David McCracken popping up with the winner.

Elgin almost kept Inverness Caledonian Thistle out, but Nick Ross popped up with six minutes to go to earn a 1-0 win for the SPL side, while Ross County saw off Clachnacuddin 3-0 thanks to Martin Scott, Kurtis Byrne and Colin 
McMenamin goals.

Falkirk ended their Highland tour with a 4-1 win at Fraserburgh, with a trialist putting them ahead early before Stevie Main levelled from a penalty. Blair Alston restored the Bairns’ advantage, with Andy Haworth and a second trialist completing the scoring.

There were no goals when Dumbarton met Queen’s Park. However, both sides missed chances with Sons duo Jim Lister and Gary Fleming going close and Owen Ronald and Jamie Longworth doing likewise for the Spiders. Hamilton Accies finished joint runners-up alongside holders Alloa Athletic to a Hearts XI that lifted the Oban Keyline Cup in a round-robin tournament which also featured Dundee United, St Johnstone and amateur side Oban Saints.

Hearts started and ended their day with blank score-lines against Hamilton and St Johnstone respectively. However, a 2-0 win over Oban, a 1-0 success over Dundee United and a 2-1 victory against Alloa saw the Tynecastle youngsters triumph.

Hamilton defeated Oban 1-0, before chalking up a 1-0 win over St Johnstone and a 1-1 draw with Dundee United.

Alloa earned 1-0 wins over United and Hamilton as well as a goalless draw with St Johnstone. However, Hearts ended their reign before their goalless encounter with the hosts.

Stenhousemuir came back from two down to draw 2-2 with Stirling Albion in their first match since David Irons’ resignation, with Kevin Kelbie and John Gemmell restoring parity after Gary Brass and Scott Davidson goals.

Brechin City saw off Angus hosts Montrose 5-0, with Scott Dalziel grabbing a hat-trick. Gavin Swankie also hit a treble as Forfar Athletic thumped Cove Rangers 7-2. Nicky Clark, Kevin Holt, Kevin Smith and Gavin Reilly were on target as Queen of the South defeated Gretna 2008 at Raydale Park.

Annan new boy Michael Daly grabbed a double as his side defeated Gala 
Fairydean 3-1, while East Stirlingshire made it two wins out of two on their Highland tour when David Greenhill scored the only goal of the game against Buckie Thistle.

Peterhead lost 2-1 at Inverurie Locos where Graeme Sharp’s leveller was outdone by former Blue Toon player Stuart McKay’s winner. Keiron Stallard scored for Airdrie United in their 1-1 draw at Whitley Bay.

Stranraer reached the final of their Stena tournament thanks to Adam Forde’s solitary goal against Northern Irish side Lisburn. The Stair Park men met Glenavon in the final, but went down 1-0 as the Northern Irish side’s player-manager Gary Hamilton scored the only goal. Berwick Rangers and Dunfermline had the day off after Shielfield was deemed unplayable.