It has been 406 long days and nights since striker Steven Doris suffered a cruciate ligament injury at Gayfield against Albion Rovers, but on Saturday Steven came off the bench in the 73rd minute for his first league appearance since then and scored just 2 minutes later!
We are all absolutely delighted for him! It has been a long time out for Steven and everyone associated with the club are absolutely thrilled for him and his family.
Manager Dick Campbell made several changes to his sid.. Returning to the team was keeper Darren Jamieson, Bobby Linn, Gavin Swankie and striker Callum Smith was given his first start for the Lichties as he partnered Ryan Wallace up front.
Saturday’s game was very similar to our last home league match against Airdrieonians. A howling gale made conditions incredibly difficult and Dumbarton had the first half advantage as the attacked the Harbour and and opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Iain Russell scored from close range.
The second half and the Lichties had the wind at their backs and started to attack and were back on level terms when a Ryan Wallace ball looped high into the net over ex Lichtie Robbie Mutch.
In the 73rd minute Manager Dick Campbell made 2 changes with Danny Denholm and Steven Doris coming on for Bobby Linn and Michael McKenna and just two minutes later Steven gave us the lead with a clever finish.
Just 2 minutes later and Gavin Swankie added a 3rd as Arbroath sealed the points to keep their 4 point lead at the top of Ladbrokes League One!
C’mon the Lichties!
Possession – Arbroath 53% – 47% Airdrieonians
Total Shots – Arbroath 9 – 8 Airdrieonians
On Target – Arbroath 3 – 3 Airdrieonians
Off Target – Arbroath 4 – 3 Airdrieonians
Blocked – Arbroath 2 – 2 Airdrieonians
Corners – Arbroath 6 – 6 Airdrieonians
Fouls Committed – Arbroath 16 – 10 Airdrieonians
Arbroath
1 – Darren Jamieson
2 – Jason Thomson
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little
5 – Thomas O’Brien
6 – Mark Whatley (c)
7 – Michael McKenna (Doris 73)
8 – Callum Smith (Kader 80)
9 – Ryan Wallace
10 – Gavin Swankie
11 – Bobby Linn (Denholm 73)
Substitutes
12 – Danny Denholm – 11; 73rd
14 – David Gold
15 – Ryan McCord
16 – Steven Doris – 7; 73rd
17 – Finn Graham
18 – Omar Kader – 8; 80th
21 – Darren Hill (GK)
Goals – Wallace 61, Doris 75, Swankie 77
Yellow Cards – O’Brien 39, Little 56, Whatley 79, Thomson 90
Attendance – 700
Referee – Alan Newlands
Assistant Referee 1 – Graham McNeillie
Assistant Referee 2 – Craig Macrae
