Arbroath’s outstanding away record of 19 games undefeated was finally broken today by full time Raith Rovers.
It certainly wasn’t an easy afternoon for Raith Rovers and Arbroath made a positive start with a thunderbolt from Thomas O’Brien forcing Graeme Smith into a very early save, and O’Brien was almost in on goal again but was ruled to be offside.
Raith Rovers thought they had taken the early lead but Lewis Vaughn’s shot was tapped in by Greig Spence who was clearly offside.
Danny Denholm’s pace was giving Raith Rovers Captain Iain Davidson plenty of problems as Arbroath tried to get the ball forward as quickly as possible. Danny was certainly aware of the physical presence of Davidson as every time they leapt for a high ball the home defender did his best to knock Danny out of the way.
A great spell of play by the Lichties should have resulted in a goal as first a clever strike by Ryan McCord across goal was cleared by Euan Murray then a McCord delivery from a free kick was met at the back post by Denholm who did well to stretch and connect with the ball but his shot rattled the Raith Rovers cross bar.
The Lichties would have been disappointed with the way that Raith Rovers took the lead as Vaughan was allowed too much space in midfield and took aim from 20 yards which beat Hutton and bounced over the line via the far post in the 32nd minute.
Only 6 minutes later and Raith had doubled their lead. A corner from the far side was curled into the box and Jason Thomson was unchallenged and headed past Hutton to make it 2-0 in the 38th minute.
Ryan McCord was booked for a late challenge on Iain Davidson in the 40th minute before it looked like the game was about to boil over into chaos on the stroke of half time.
A simple push and foul by Colin Hamilton on Lewis Vaughan was met by over the top reactions from the home side with several players rushing in. The fact that it was such a soft foul made the whole debacle strange but as temper’s flared both Hamilton and Davidson were shown yellow cards.
The Lichties came out for the second half trying to get back into the game and they did go on to dominate the second half but couldn’t convert their possession into clear cut chances.
Colin Hamilton had a shot blocked before a wonderful take down and dummy by McCord allowed him to shoot at goal but Smith was able to get down and make the save. Gavin Swankie was a whisker away from heading the ball into the net as he connected to a Bobby Linn Cross.
Thomas O’Brien made an incredible last gasp tackle to deny Spence who looked certain to score then a wonderful double save by Hutton kept the Lichties in the game. Jamie Wilson’s rocket was punched away by Hutton before the Arbroath keeper made his way to the other side of his goal to deny Vaughan.
Kane Hester was brought on for Ryan McCord in the first change for the Lichties with the depth of Raith Rovers squad enviable as they brought on Liam Buchanan on for Greig Spence.
Raith Rovers again were denied by the offside flag when Euan Murray’s header was ruled to be offside but Arbroath had their own squabble with the referee when they were denied a penalty as a fierce drive seemed pushed away with two hands.
As the full time whistle Arbroath’s incredible away record lasting well over a year came to an end. The opposition were full time, but the Lichties were never out of the game and a fully fit Steven Doris up against their Captain Iain Davidson will be a battle to look forward to later this season.
After the full time whistle it looked like John Herron of Raith Rovers and Thomas O’Brien were both shown yellow cards.
C’mon the Lichties
