Arbroath 1 – 3 Dunfermline Athletic – Match Report
Betfred Cup – 2nd Round – Season 2020 / 2021
Saturday 28th November 2020, Gayfield Park, Arbroath, 3.00pm kick off
Match Sponsor – ILG Plumbing and Heating
Arbroath welcomed Championship leaders Dunfermline Athletic to Gayfield on Saturday as both sides had the chance to make it to the quarter finals of the BetFred Cup.
Arbroath were hit with suspension and injury as David Gold served a one match ban for picking up two yellow cards in the group stage whilst injury ruled out Thomas O’Brien, Scott Gallacher, and Connor Smith but Mark Whatley did return to the bench.
Derek Gaston was in goal, with Jason Thomson at right back, James Craigen at left back with Colin Hamilton and Ricky Little in central defence. Scott Stewart was on the right wing, with Michael McKenna, Miko Virtanen and Gavin Swankie in midfield with Luke Donnelly and Michael Ruth playing up front.
Gayfield without a wind of any kind seemed very unfamiliar but as the Lichties attacked the Harbour end, the glare from the setting sun seemed the only challenge from the elements.
Dunfermline had a few early half chances with a Ryan Dow shot going just wide, before a Dom Thomas cross was put out for a corner then minutes later another Thomas shot put Gaston under pressure from Declan McManus.
At the other end, Michael Ruth was leading the line and his pace and desire to run at the Dunfermline defenders was creating chances. One run from Ruth found Gavin Swankie but his back post cross wasn’t met by any Arbroath players.
In the 17th minute former Pars player James Craigen found a pocket of space and sent a curling shot towards goal but he was denied by Welsh international keeper Owain Fôn Williams who was up to the challenge and punched the ball away for a corner kick.
Arbroath were dealt a sucker punch in the 28th minute when Ryan Dow was given too much space and his 20 yard drive flew into the back of the net to give Dunfermline the lead.
Dunfermline would double their lead just 8 minutes later. A corner kick was met by Lewis Mayo who found Declan McManus standing right in front of Derek Gaston.
McManus turned and hit the ball on the turn but Gaston stood tall and blocked the initial close range shot. However as the ball was parried out Mayo headed the ball back towards goal and Euan Murray was credited with steering the ball over the line to make it 2-0 to Dunfermline.
On-loan Celtic midfielder Kerr McInroy hit a shot in the 40th minute which forced Derek Gaston into a save as the visitors finished the first half on top.
Half Time – Arbroath 0 – 2 Dunfermline Athletic
Dick Campbell made two changes with Bobby Linn and Dale Hilson replacing Michael McKenna and Scott Stewart as Arbroath went on the attack.
Bobby Linn made an instant impact as he looked to get on the ball getting down the right wing as often as possible and won a corner in the 52nd minute after his force was blocked.
Arbroath’s attack opened up space for Dunfermline to counter and Dow again was looking to add to his tally with a shot in the 55th minute.
Michael Ruth was shown a yellow card for dissent after a foul by Ricky Little gave Declan McManus the chance to tee up a free kick from the edge of the Arbroath box but the Arbroath wall did its job and blocked the effort.
McManus himself was next in the Referee’s book again for dissent in the 63rd minute.
Dale Hilson got the shout to go through the middle with Michael Ruth playing down the right wing and Bobby Linn switching to the left and the tactical changed soon paid off as a cross from James Craigen found its way to the back post where Hilson hit the ball first time from 12 yards and into the back of the net in the 65th minute.
Mark Whatley made his first appearance for Arbroath since March as he entered the field of play alongside Kris Doolan in the 66th minute as Gavin Swankie and Luke Donnelly made way.
Arbroath were finding more space down the wings but Mark Whatley couldn’t keep the ball down when it fell to him from 18 yards out in the 71st minute and shot high over the bar.
Bobby Linn again came close as he had another shot blocked in the 80th minute.
In the 82nd minute a shot by Ryan Dow was deemed to hit the hand of Ricky Little who could do nothing to move his hand out of the way. Referee Nick Walsh booked Ricky and pointed to the spot with substitute Kevin O’Hara finding the bottom right hand corner of the net with Gaston diving to his left.
The goal killed any hope of Arbroath hand of finding an equaliser but they did try with Ricky having a header saved by Fôn Williams before Ryan Dow had one final chance in the 91st minute.
Full Time – Arbroath 1 – 3 Dunfermline Athletic
The penalty kick killed any hopes Arbroath had of taking the game to extra time as they battled for a second goal. A good opening 20 minutes was killed by two quick goals by Dunfermline who looked a real threat anytime they went forward and look worthy of being top of the Championship.
Arbroath will have to regroup and hope that their injury crisis eases up for the visit to Dens Park on Saturday.
Possession – Arbroath 53% – 47% Dunfermline Athletic
Total Shots – Arbroath 7 – 15 Dunfermline Athletic
On Target – Arbroath 3 – 7 Dunfermline Athletic
Off Target – Arbroath 2 – 7 Dunfermline Athletic
Blocked – Arbroath 2 – 1 Dunfermline Athletic
Corners – Arbroath 7 – 5 Dunfermline Athletic
Fouls Committed – Arbroath 12 – 7 Dunfermline Athletic
Arbroath
1 – Derek Gaston
2 – Jason Thomson
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little (c)
8 – Michael McKenna (Hilson 45)
10 – Gavin Swankie (Whatley 66)
12 – Scott Stewart (Linn 45)
15 – Luke Donnelly (Doolan 66)
16 – Michael Ruth
22 – Miko Virtanen
28 – James Craigen
Substitutes
6 – Mark Whatley – 10; 66th
9 – Dale Hilson – 8; 45th
11 – Bobby Linn – 12; 45th
14 – Kris Doolan – 15; 66th
31 – Robert Douglas (GK)
Yellow Cards – Ruth 56, Little 83
Goal – Hilson 65
Dunfermline Athletic
1 – Owain Fon Williams
3 – Josh Edwards
5 – Euan Murray ©
8 – Kyle Turner (Comrie 84)
10 – Declan McManus (O’Hara 75)
11 – Ryan Dow
15 – Iain Wilson
22 – Lewis Mayo
23 – Dom Thomas (Murray 90)
24 – Kerr McInroy
44 – Paul Watson
Substitutes
2 – Aaron Comrie – 8; 84th
7 – Kevin O’Hara – 10; 75th
14 – Lewis McCann
16 – Steven Whittaker
17 – Matthew Bowman
19 – Miller Fenton
21 – Fraser Murray – 23; 90th
27 – Lucas Berry
20 – Cammy Gill (GK)
Yellow Card – McManus 63
Goals – Dow 28, Murray 36, O’Hara 82 pen
Officials;
Referee – Nick Walsh
Assistant Referee 1 – Sean Carr
Assistant Referee 2 – Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official – David Dickinson
