Lichties just weren’t good enough in cup exit, says Campbell

ARBROATH 0 CLYDE 2

Former Dundee United star David Goodwillie was the architect of Arbroath’s downfall with yet another stirring display that underlines why he was once a multimillion-pound international player.

Goodwillie set up Chris Johnston for the opener and had a hand in the second as Red Lichties defender Colin Hamilton netted an own goal.

That ended Arbroath’s Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup challenge but has given Clyde hope they can go all the way, after reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 2008.

“When you are a winger like me you know what you are going to get from David Goodwillie,” said Johnston.

“He makes the right passes and when you put the ball in the box he’s almost always there to finish.

“It’s great to have a player like that up front. It’s not just his experience or his ability, it’s his work-rate for the team that makes him special.

“He could have had a shot for the first goal but he didn’t because he’s a team player and saw players in better positions.

“He’s a goal-scorer and goals win you games. It’s good to have a player like him in our side but we aren’t a one-man team.

“We have good players throughout the team and a good mix of youth and experience.

“That can help us in the cup. Anything can happen and we fancy our chances against anyone.

“We don’t fear any side and have already shown we can go to Championship sides and win.

“In a cup like this anything can happen. Dumbarton got to the final a few years ago so why can’t we have a good run?”

Goodwillie’s perfectly-weighted through-ball set up Johnston for the first as the winger rounded Arbroath keeper Derek Gaston to stroke home.

He was also involved in the second as he sent Tony Wallace racing clear, with his low ball cannoning in off Arbroath defender Colin Hamilton to seal the win for the Bully Wee.

But while the visitors were celebrating it was yet another disastrous day for Arbroath.

After a superb start to life in the Championship, Arbroath have now lost four games in a row – albeit against promotion contenders Ayr, Dundee and Dundee United before the loss to Clyde.

Saturday’s defeat was the most unexpected but with many Arbroath players off form and Clyde turning in a superbly organised display the result was more than fair.

It’s what happens next for Arbroath that is crucial.

Manager Dick Campbell is normally content to hold court with the media for lengthy spells with his post-match interviews, often unprompted.

On Saturday, however, he delivered a curt one-minute assessment of the game, vowing to transform Arbroath’s recent fortunes.

He said: “I’ve never walked away from any challenge and I’m not about to start now.

“I didn’t like what I saw out there against a side that is a league below us. We weren’t good enough and didn’t perform for our fans.

“We lost a bad first goal and while the second one was an unfortunate own goal it doesn’t paper over the cracks.

“We had 65% possession in the second half but struggled to create anything and it’s not good enough.”

Pictures: SNS. David Goodwillie, left, and Chris Johnston played a big part for Clyde as they beat Arbroath at Gayfield.