Arbroath Amateurs 0 AHSFP's 9

 After Fp's disappointing defeat away to Lowson the previous week, a local derby was the perfect oportunity to regain their dented confidence. Manager Smith made a few changes to the squad with Macintosh replacing Wilson at left back, Riddell came back in at sweeper allowing Dall to move back into centre midfield, Mclaren moved from the centre to the left wing to replace the unavailable Ferrier and Matty Gall replaced his cousin Mike Gall up front.

 Having won this fixture three times in a row, the Fp's were expecting a revenge mission from their local rivals. But it was Fp's themselves who started the match the more hungary. Straight away the Amateurs were on the back foot as the Fp's stamped their authority on the game. The opening goal came inside the first few minutes. Smiths initial corner was headed out for another. This time Kidd took the set piece and his outswinging cross was met on the volley by right back FENWICK who steered his shot into his goal. Kidd then found himself in the referees book for a hand bags incident with Amateurs Watson who was also booked for his part.

 Inside ten minutes Fp's doubled their lead. A free kick on the half way line from Humphreys found that man FENWICK again and after his initial header was saved he bravely slid in to bundle the rebound over the line. Fp's were now coasting and considering the deteriorating weather were playing some very attractive football indeed.

 On the half hour mark they got their third. Smith started the move spreading the ball wide to Macintosh. He in turn found Mclaren who fired a dangerous cross into the opposition box which Gall expertly laid back to SMITH who had continued his run. He steadied himself before blasting the ball into the roof of the net from fifteen yards to complete a great team goal.

 With the Amateurs only playing one man up front they posed no threat to the Fp's solid black four and 'keeper Saunderson was a mere spectator for the entire first half.

Half time: Arbroath Amateurs 0 AHSFP's 3

 The Fp's half time team talk from management team Harrison, Smith and Smith senior was not to get complacent and to expect a more attacking formation from their counter parts. Amazingly the Amateurs stuck to their negative set up and this encouraged more attacking play from the Fp's. A fourth was quickly added when a poor kick out from the Amateurs keeper was pounced on by the lively SHARP who controlled and then brilliantly curled the ball into the far top corner, putting the game beyond doubt.

 Right back Fenwick who has had a fantastic season so far was then denied his hat-trick when he headed home Smiths free kick but the referee judged him to be offside. The now rampant Fp's got their fifth when Kidds pin point cross was bulleted home by the head of GALL.

 Fp's then used all three of their substitutes. Wilson replaced Smith, Lees replaced Dall and Googs replaced the on form Fenwick. The substitutes quickly made their own mark on proceedings. Youngster Wilsons low cross was flicked goalwards by Humphreys and his effort was spilled by the luckless Amateurs keeper who yet again had to pick the ball out of the net as LEES followed up successfully with his first touch.

 Fp's were in seventh heaven when Macintosh won the ball in midfield before weighting a delightful pass through to GALL who drilled home from outside the area. With the now distraught Amateur players desperate for the referee to blow the final whistle the Fp's sought out more goals.

 Number eight was again assisted by Macintosh as his pass found SHARP on the edge of the box. His turn and shot almost burst the net as the keeper stayed routed to the spot.

 Fp's completed the Amateurs misery five minutes from time with another great team goal. Riddell passed to googs in midfield, he in turn threaded a wonderful pass wide to Mclaren who beat the offside trap before bearing down on goal. As he approached the last defender he unselfishly squared to GALL who beat the keeper with ease to complete his second hat-trick of the season and also his 20th goal of the campaign already.

 In the last minute the Amateurs got their first shot on target but after a well engineered move Saunderson was brilliantly saved to ensure him and his defence kept a rare clean sheet.

 The managements hardest decision of the day was to pick a man of the match as Fp's produced their best football of the season so far. A players vote decided that the award should go to FENWICK for another faultless display at right back.

Team:Saunderson, Macintosh, Fenwick, Riddell, Humphreys, Dall, Smith(c), Kidd, Mclaren, Gall, Sharp, Wilson, Googs & Lees.