Arbroath remain in 1st place in Ladbrokes League One tonight after a professional performance secured a 3-0 win over East Fife in Methil today.
With Michael McKenna missing due to a long standing family commitment, Kane Hester partnered Ryan Wallace up front with new loan signing Callum Smith named on the bench.
Both sides created chances in an opening 30 minutes but neither team took advantages of the openings created.
There was controversy from the home fans after 31 minutes when a ball back towards the Arbroath goal was intercepted by Jonny Court who intercepted and scored before celebrating.
Just as he and his East Fife team mates headed back towards the centre circle the referee blew his whistle and pointed for offside after a discussion with the far side linesman with Arbroath’s Mark Whatley not actually touching the ball meaning Court was offside.
Arbroath took the lead in the 40th minute when a Ryan Wallace corner was met at the back post by Thomas O’Brien who headed in after beating his marker to the ball.
Kaen Hester had a chance to make it 2-0 just 60 seconds later but former Dundee United keeper Brett Long made a good save.
However Arbroath did make it 2-0 on the stroke of half time. A bursting run down the wing by Jason Thomson gave him space to look up and fire a cross into the box which was met by Ryan Wallace who made no mistakes from 12 yards.
Half Time – East Fife 0 – 2 Arbroath
East Fife made a great start to the second half and had 4 half chances in a 5 minute spell but just couldn’t trouble Darren Jamieson in the Arbroath goal.
Colin Hamilton picked up a yellow card in the 57th minute for a foul on Craig Thomson.
Callum Smith was brought on to replace Kane Hester in the 58th minute and came close in the 72minute when he flashed a header at the East Fife goal which was saved by Long.
Danny Denholm came on for Omar Kader in the 65th minute and after 10 minutes made it 3-0 to Arbroath.
A great passing movement involving Smith and Wallace allowed Wallace to run through on goal by unselfishly as he closed in on Long, he passed to his right where Danny Denholm made no mistake to score.
Ryan McCord came on for Bobby Linn in the 78th minute and showed his vision with a stunning pass for Denholm to shoot but the referee flagged for offside.
East Fife continued to press and Craig Watson hit the Arbroath bar with a header before Anton Dowds had a shot cleared off the line.
Arbroath however hold on to make it 10 points out of 12 with 11 goals scored as they continue their great start to the season.
Man of the Match – Ryan Wallace. He didn’t give the East Fife defence any room all day long and with 2 assists and a goal it was a very good afternoon for Ryan.
C’mon the Lichties!
Possession – East Fife 55% – 45% Arbroath
Total Shots – East Fife 12 – 11 Arbroath
On Target – East Fife 1 – 6 Arbroath
Off Target – East Fife 9 – 4 Arbroath
Blocked – East Fife 2 – 1 Arbroath
Corners – East Fife 9 – 5 Arbroath
Fouls Committed – East Fife 10 – 8 Arbroath
East Fife
1 – Brett Long
2 – Aaron Dunsmore
5 – Ross Dunlop
6 – Craig Watson
7 – Craig Thomson
8 – Pat Slattery
9 – Jonny Court (Bell 81)
11 – Scott Agnew
14 – Liam Watt (Currie 69)
15 – Anton Dowds
16 – Ross Davidson (McBride 81)
Substitutes
4 – Chris Kane
12 – Scott McBride – 16; 81st
18 – Scott Linton
19 – Rory Currie – 14; 69th
20 – Kyle Bell – 9; 81st
21 – Craig McDowall (GK)
Arbroath
1 – Darren Jamieson
2 – Jason Thomson
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little
5 – Thomas O’Brien
6 – Mark Whatley
7 – Omar Kader (Denholm 65)
8 – Kane Hester (Smith 58)
9 – Ryan Wallace
10 – Gavin Swankie
11 – Bobby Linn (McCord 77)
Substitutes
12 – Callum Smith – 8; 58th
14 – Danny Denholm – 7; 65th
15 – Ryan McCord – 11; 77th
16 – David Gold
17 – Finn Graham
21 – Darren Hill (GK)
Goals – O’Brien 40, Wallace 45, Denholm 75
Yellow Card – Hamilton 57
Attendance; 639 (213 Arbroath supporters)
Referee – Scott Millar
Assistant Referee 1 – Michael Banks
Assistant Referee 2 – Gary Logan
