10-man Arbroath suffered their first defeat in 18 games today at Gayfield as Raith Rovers scored 2 first half goals to claim victory.
Arbroath were dealt a double blow before kick off as both Thomas O’Brien and then Ryan McCord were forced out of selection due to illness.
Steven Doris returned to lead the attack with Ryan Wallace with Michael McKenna and David Gold making up the midfield with Gavin Swankie and Bobby Linn and Mark Whatley slotting into defence alongside Ricky Little, Jason Thomson, Colin Hamilton with Darren Jamieson in goal.
Both teams started brightly with Steven Doris latching onto a mistake after just 5 minutes but his shot was straight at the keeper. In the 13th minute Gavin Swankie was booked for his first challenge of the day by Referee Lloyd Wilson. It would turn out to make a big impact in a game which ended up with 9 yellow cards and 1 red card despite it not being a dirty game at all.
Colin Hamilton followed Swankie in the book in the 18th minute and from the resulting free kick Daniel Armstrong scored a stunning free kick to give Rovers the lead. Ricky Little came close in the 23rd minute as his shot from a corner kick was turned away for another corner kick by Euan Murray.
Raith’s Nat Wedderburn was booked in the 28th minute before Ryan Wallace also landed in the book in the 36th minute. Raith Rover’s doubled the lead when Liam Buchanan netted from close range in the 37th minute after a free kick was headed back across goal.
Arbroath’s afternoon got worse as Gavin Swankie was shown a second yellow card for an apparent simulation in the middle of the park and was sent off just on the stroke of half time. A harsh decision, especially when the 36nilTV Highlights are viewed.
Despite being down to 10 men Arbroath seemed to be more galvanised in the second half and were seeing more of the ball. Raith looked dangerous on the break however and Armstrong was looking to attack every time he got the ball.
Darren Jamieson was booked after exchanging words with assistant farside linesmen Mat Northcroft before Bobby Linn was also shown a yellow card in the 53rd minute.
Arbroath introduced Callum Smith for Steven Doris and Omar Kader for Ryan Wallace after 58 minutes as Arbroath continued to look for a goal to get back into the game.
Liam Buchanan fired a shot wide of the Arbroath goal before substitute Lewis Vaughan hit the Arbroath post after breaking free. Callum Smith hit the side netting as his pace took him past keeper Robbie Thomson in the Raith box.
Kyle Benedictus and Robbie Thomson of Raith Rovers also were shown the yellow card with Danny Denholm replacing Bobby Linn in the 71st minute.
Omar Kader became the 9th player to be booked in the 88th minute as Raith Rovers played out the game to pull 3 points from Arbroath’s lead at the top of League One.
It is the first defeat for the Lichties in 18 games, and the first time the team have failed to score in the league this season.
We will dust ourselves off, reflect on where we could improve and prepare for next week’s derby.
C’mon the Lichties
Arbroath
1 – Darren Jamieson
2 – Jason Thomson
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little
5 – Mark Whatley (c)
6 – David Gold
7 – Michael McKenna
8 – Ryan Wallace (Kader 58)
9 – Steven Doris (Smith 58)
10 – Gavin Swankie
11 – Bobby Linn (Denholm 71)
Substitutes
12 – Omar Kader – 8; 58th
14 – Danny Denholm – 11; 71st
15 – Ryan McCord
16 – Callum Smith – 9; 58th
21 – Darren Hill (GK)
Yellow Cards – Swankie 13, Hamilton 18, Wallace 36, Jamieson 50, Linn 53, Kader 88
Red Card – Swankie 45+1
Attendance – 1808
Referee – Lloyd Wilson Assistant Referee 1 – Brian Templeton Assistant Referee 2 – Mat Northcroft
