Lee Erwin made a dream SPFL debut by scoring two scorching first half goals to help Arbroath edge out Brechin City in a highly entertaining Angus derby which had more than it’s fair share of talking points.
The 19-year-old Motherwell player joined the Red Lichties on a one-month loan deal just 24 hours before the game, but, following his stunning debut, Gayfield player-manager Paul Sheerin hopes to keep the powerful young striker for an extended period.
Sheerin said: “He has signed for a month, but hopefully we’ll be able to keep him longer. However, if he does well then you can understand that his club might want him back.
“We’ll get a chance now to have a good look at him, and he’ll be able to have a look at us and we’ll see what happens after that. “
Erwin grabbed the opener in the 15th minute when he clinically rifled the ball high into the Brechin net from 15 yards. It was a fantastic strike, but there was even better to come on the half hour mark.
The giant teenager accepted a short corner from Bobby Linn, took a couple of steps forward, then unleashed an explosive shot which flew like a missile beyond the helpless Graeme Smith in the Brechin goal.
City had earlier felt aggrieved when Jonny Brown appeared to be brought down on the edge of the Arbroath 18-yard line just as he was racing through on goal, but referee Kevin Graham allowed play to continue.
The Lichties made a strong start to the second period with Steven Milne and Bobby Linn forcing Smith to make good saves. The home side also had a strong penalty claim waved aside when Milne went down in the box just as he was about to pull the trigger.
Play flowed from one end to the other and Bobby Barr eventually gave Brechin some hope when his deflected effort found the back of the net in the 62nd minute.
Arbroath sub Alan Cook somehow managed to divert he ball over the bar from three yards after Linn had sent a perfect pass into the danger area and City then came within inches of an equaliser when Steven Jackson’s 20-yard free-kick hit the top of the bar and bounced behind.