Arbroath 3 – 3 Raith Rovers
Dick Campbell Post Match Interview
Arbroath Manager Dick Campbell reflects on yesterday’s dramatic game at Gayfield.
Dick believed his side should have killed the game off early in the first half but was honest in his assessment and pleased not to have suffered defeat.
Michael McKenna post match interview
Michael McKenna, who scored his 14th league goal of the season talks to arbroathfc.tv about how he felt yesterday’s game unfolded and the fight the team showed to come back for a point which could yet turn out to be crucial.
The Lichties showed great fight to come back for what could yet be a precious point this afternoon against Raith Rovers.
Jack Hamilton scored his second goal in a week after just 60 seconds when Nicky Low’s corner kick was hit back into the box by skipper Thomas O’Brien at the back post.
Arbroath were dominating play and possession and missed a number of good chances to double their lead.
Those missed chances would come back to haunt them as a mix up between the Arbroath defence and keeper Calum Antell allowed Matej Poplatnik to score to make 1-1 after 31 minutes.
Half Time – Arbroath 1 – 1 Raith Rovers
Half Time Stats
Possession – Arbroath 51% – 49% Raith Rovers
Total Shots – Arbroath 3 – 3 Raith Rovers
On Target – Arbroath 1 – 2 Raith Rovers
Off Target – Arbroath 1 – 1 Raith Rovers
Blocked – Arbroath 1 – 0 Raith Rovers
Corners – Arbroath 6 – Raith Rovers
Fouls Committed – Arbroath 1 – 7 Raith Rovers
Poplatnik then turned provider early in the second half as he ran into the Arbroath box and was allowed to cross to the back post where Aidan Connolly netted from 8 yards.
Dale Hilson and Luke Donnelly came on for Craig Wighton and James Craigen in the 64th minute but Raith scored their 3rd goal in the 65th minute when Ethon Varian was found by Connolly and his angled drive found the net from 18 yards.
However Lichties never say die and Dale Hilson flicked a header into the net from a Jack Hamilton cross just 2 minutes later.
Gayfield erupted and the momentum had shifted in their favour with Jack Hamilton smashing the cross bar with a header just 3 minutes later as Michael McKenna was quickest to react pouncing to head the ball in the net to make it 3-3 in the 70th minute.
3 goals in a 5 minute spell and Arbroath pressed for the winner with Robbie Thomson denying Dale Hilson at the death.
It could yet be a valuable point, and anything is still possible! Believe in this team!
C’mon the Lichties
Full Time Stats
Possession – Arbroath 46% – 54% Raith Rovers
Total Shots – Arbroath 11 – 5 Raith Rovers
On Target – Arbroath 5 – 4 Raith Rovers
Off Target – Arbroath 4 – 1Raith Rovers
Blocked – Arbroath 2 – 0 Raith Rovers
Corners – Arbroath 8 – 1 Raith Rovers
Fouls Committed – Arbroath 8 – 9 Raith Rovers
Arbroath
21 – Calum Antell
2 – Jason Thomson (Gold 86)
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little
5 – Thomas O’Brien (c)
6 – Nicky Low
18 – Chris Hamilton (Stewart 86)
8 – Michael McKenna (Linn 86)
19 – Craig Wighton (Donnelly 64)
20 – Jack Hamilton
28 – James Craigen (Hilson 64)
Substitutes
7 – David Gold – 2; 86th
9 – Dale Hilson – 28; 64th
10 – Gavin Swankie
11 – Bobby Linn – 8; 64th
12 – Scott Stewart – 18; 86th
15 – Luke Donnelly – 19; 64th
16 – Sam Ford
17 – Michael Bakare
1 – Derek Gaston (GK)
Goals – Jack Hamilton 1, Hilson 67, McKenna 70
Yellow Cards – Little 36, O’Brien 53, Col Hamilton 61, Hilson 75
Raith Rovers
17 – Robbie Thomson
2 – Reghan Tumilty
3 – Liam Dick
7 – Aidan Connolly
8 – Ross Matthews
9 – Jamie Gullan (Ross 21)
14 – David McKay
16 – Sam Stanton
18 – Ethan Varian
21 – Sean Mackie
99 – Matej Poplatnik (Zanatta 90+2)
Substitutes
11 – Dario Zanatta – 99; 92nd
13 – Brad Spencer
22 – Ethan Ross – 9; 21st
25 – Aaron Arnott
29 – Greig Young
32 – Lewis Budinauckas (GK)
Goals – Poplatnik 31, Connolly 48, Varian 65
Yellow Cards – Tumilty 80
Attendance – 2,118
Officials;
Referee; Alan Muir
Assistant Referee 1; Andy Milne
Assistant Referee 2: Paul McAvinue
