Carnoustie started 2020 the same way as they ended 2019, with three points as they beat Forfar West End 2-0 at Strathmore Park
It was same again for manager Phil McGuire as he kept the same side that beat Kirriemuir Thistle last weekend with in form Gordon Macdonald continuing in place of Ryan Dignan.
West End set out from the start to try and suffocate Carnoustie going forward playing five across the back and it took Carnoustie 10 minutes to get their first shot on target and Gary Thain needed to be on his metal to pull off a double save to deny Paul McLellan and then Brian Clark. The Gowfers continued on top and Thain was forced in more action to deny Gordon Macdonald and Steven McPhee but the West End keeper failed to hold a drive from Clark on 33 minutes allowing Macdonald to nod the rebound in to the back of the net to give Carnoustie a deserved lead. Three minutes later West End had their first chance of the game when Connor Birse got his toe to a McIlravey shot that was going wide but the big striker on loan from Lochee United couldn’t get any power behind it and Jamie Robbie made a comfortable save.
The Gowfers started the second half again on the front foot and doubled their advantage on 57 minutes, Macdonald fought for the ball on the left before providing McLellan with the chance to tap the ball past Thain and in to the far corner. West End struggled to hold on to Carnoustie and after several free kicks after desperate challenges they were reduced to ten men on 70 minutes. Despite having the numerical advantage Carnoustie couldn’t add to their tally as the game became disjointed with a number off decisions by the referee that were at best nit picking. Sam Simpson was booked on 87 minutes which takes him to six bookings and he is now suspended for the trip to Scone Thistle in a fortnight.
The win gives Carnoustie their highest points total and goals scored in the Super League as Phil McGuire’s men extended their run without defeat and they move on to next weeks clash with second placed Broughty Athletic at Whitton Park.
Carnoustie : Robbie, Cruickshank (Sturrock), Steel, Roche, Clark (Martin), McLellan, Winter, McPhee, Simpson, Macdonald (Dignan), Dailly
Subs Not Used : Cormack, Conway
