Arbroath 0 – 0 Raith Rovers
What could have been a real classic match between two sides who both like to play football didn’t really get to flow this afternoon after the game was disrupted by the referee’s whistle.
Arbroath came out with a real intensity and almost took the lead after just 2 minutes when Joel Nouble had a goal bound shot headed off the line before Ricky Little has a curling 18-yard shot just wide from the resulting corner kick.
Raith were being pinned back in their own half but actually had the first half chance of the game when Dylan Tait had a shot which was easily dealt with by Derek Gaston.
Ricky Little had another chance in the 19th minute but his header was just too high as it looped over the bar.
A series of yellow cards in a 2 minute spell summed up the game as Scott Stewart, Ricky Little and Christophe Berra were all booked by Referee Craig Napier.
Just before half time Ricky Little and Berra had a clash of heads from a corner kick. Despite getting back up to his feet immediately there was a slight worry as Ricky didn’t want to go off, but was finally persuaded to leave the field and go to the dugout to be checked over.
Both players returned to the field, but just minutes later and it was clear Little had suffered concussion and he was replaced by David Gold. The first time a concussion substitute had ever been used at Gayfield.
We all hope that Ricky is okay. Ricky as we all know will run through brick walls for this club, but we hope to have an update on his head knock soon.
Half time – Arbroath 0 – 0 Raith Rovers
Half Time Stats
Possession – Arbroath 64% – 36% Raith Rovers
Total Shots – Arbroath 7 – 3 Raith Rovers
On Target – Arbroath 0 – 1 Raith Rovers
Off Target – Arbroath 3 – 0 Raith Rovers
Blocked – Arbroath 4 – 2 Raith Rovers
Corners – Arbroath 4 – 2 Raith Rovers
Fouls Committed – Arbroath 8 – 6 Raith Rovers
Raith seemed to come out of the second half with the same intensity as Arbroath had shown with Ethan Ross coming on for Frankie Musounda at the break.
Dylan Tait fired a glancing header over the bar in the 49th minute as Raith looked to put pressure on the Arbroath defence which had reshuffled in Little’s absence.
Raith Rovers also suffered an injury of their on in the 62nd minute when Brad Spencer was forced off with an injury.
There was a break in play as it looked like he may require the stretcher but thankfully he was able to stand and be helped off as young Aaron Arnott came on in his place.
Bobby Linn and Anton Dowds came on for Scott Stewart and Luke Donnelly and Dowds was unlucky not to win a free kick when he was pulled down on the edge of the box by Tom Lang.
Liam Henderson replaced James Craigen for our 4th substitution of the game in the 79th minute.
Bobby Linn had a great opportunity when his pace let him run down the right wing at goal but he just couldn’t get enough power on the ball with his right foot to beat MacDonald.
In the second minute of injury time Bobby Linn almost won it as his shot slipped under the body of Jamie MacDonald but the Raith Rovers keeper managed to cover the ball with the help of his defender.
Full Time – Arbroath 0 – 0 Raith Rovers
Full Time Stats
Possession – Arbroath 54% – 46% Raith Rovers
Total Shots – Arbroath 11 – 8 Raith Rovers
On Target – Arbroath 3 – 2 Raith Rovers
Off Target – Arbroath 3 – 2 Raith Rovers
Blocked – Arbroath 5 – 4 Raith Rovers
Corners – Arbroath 7 – 4 Raith Rovers
Fouls Committed – Arbroath 13 – 14 Raith Rovers
It is another crucial point in our season and one against a very good and organised Raith Rovers team who are now on a 14 match undefeated run.
We face another tough game away to Partick Thistle next weekend.
Thank you for your support, C’mon the Lichties
Arbroath
1 – Derek Gaston
2 – Jason Thomson
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little (Gold 45+1) – Concussion Sub
5 – Thomas O’Brien (c)
18 – Chris Hamilton
12 – Scott Stewart (Linn 66)
8 – Michael McKenna
15 – Luke Donnelly (Dowds 66)
17 – Joel Nouble
28 – James Craigen (Henderson 79)
Substitutes
7 – David Gold – 4; 45+1
9 – Dale Hilson
11 – Bobby Linn – 12; 66th
16 – Harrison Clark
19 – Anton Dowds – 15; 66th
22 – Liam Henderson – 28; 79th
21 – Calum Antell (GK)
Yellow Cards – Stewart 35, Little 36, Chris Hamilton 90+1, McKenna 90+4
Raith Rovers
1 – Jamie MacDonald
3 – Liam Dick
4 – Frankie Musonda (Ross 45)
5 – Christophe Berra
6 – Kyle Benedictus (c)
8 – Ross Matthews
11 – Dario Zanatta (Tumilty 79)
12 – Tom Lang
13 – Brad Spencer (Arnott 62)
15 – Dylan Tait
18 – Ethan Varian
Substitutes
2 – Reghan Tumilty – 11; 79th
22 – Ethan Ross – 4; 45th
23 – Blaise Riley-Snow
25 – Aaron Arnott – 13; 62n
26 – Kieran Mitchell
99 – Matej Poplatnik
17 – Robbie Thomson (GK)
Yellow Card – Berra 38
Attendance – 1539
Officials;
Referee; Craig Napier
Assistant Referee 1; Craig Ferguson
Assistant Referee 2: Calum Doyle
