Raith Rovers 2 – 2 Arbroath
Arbroath showed great character this afternoon to come back from being 2 goals down to secure what could be a vital point at the end of the season.
Sticking with the same team that defeated Alloa Athletic last weekend, Arbroath made a bright start and Ben Williamson came really close after just 2 minutes when his powerful right foot shot from 18 yards just flew past Jamie MacDonald’s post.
There wasn’t much goalmouth action, but Raith Rovers took the lead in the 29th minute when Daniel Armstrong scored after an Arbroath attack was intercepted and Raith moved the ball quickly up the pitch. Derek Gaston made a fantastic save but Armstrong was there to net the loose ball.
Arbroath weren’t getting many of the decisions and both Colin Hamilton and Ricky Little were shown yellow cards.
Derek Gaston saved a Lewis Vaughan shot in the 34th minute with Raith Rovers having most of the ball in the first half.
First Half Stats
Possession – Raith Rovers 61% – 39% Arbroath
Total Shots – Raith Rovers 2 – 1 Arbroath
Shots on Target – Raith Rovers 2 – 0 Arbroath
Shots Off Target – Raith Rovers 0 – 1 Arbroath
Blocked – Raith Rovers 0 – 0 Arbroath
Corners – Raith Rovers 1 – 1 Arbroath
Fouls – Raith Rovers 2 – 8 Arbroath
Nicky Low was booked in the 50th minute for a foul on the edge of the box but Armstrong’s free kick was just wide of Gaston’s post.
Arbroath started to get more of the ball and were enjoying more possession in the final 3rd with Colin Hamilton coming close with our first free kick just before the hour mark.
Dale Hilson came on for Kris Doolan in the 66th minute but Raith doubled their lead just 4 minutes later with Armstrong’s shot from the right side of the box found the back of the net.
However the goal pushed Arbroath forward and a deep cross to the back post was headed back towards goal by Lewis Moore and Jack Hamilton made no mistake firing the ball into the top right hand corner from 14 yards in the 72nd minute.
Michael McKenna and Scott Stewart came on 2 minutes later for Lewis Moore and Nicky Low as Arbroath pushed for the equaliser.
With just 6 minutes left, a long throw in by Thomas O’Brien created problems in the Raith box and the ball was cleared back out to O’Brien on the wing and his pass found Ricky Little who struck the ball first time through the legs of MacDonald and into the back of the net to draw level.
With just seconds left a ball into the box by Colin Hamilton almost found the back of the net as David Gold, Jack Hamilton and Jason Thomson all tried to get a touch but Jamie MacDonald managed to somehow tip it away for a corner kick.
The full whistle finally blew and with news that both Morton and Ayr United also just drew the positions at the bottom of the table remain the same.
Full Time Stats
Possession – Raith Rovers 56% – 44% Arbroath
Shots – Raith Rovers 5 – 4 Arbroath
Shots on Target – Raith Rovers 3 – 2 Arbroath
Shots Off Target – Raith Rovers 2 – 2 Arbroath
Blocked – Raith Rovers 0 – 0 Arbroath
Corners – Raith Rovers 3 – 2 Arbroath
Fouls – Raith Rovers 10 – 14 Arbroath
With Raith Rovers and Dundee dropping points this afternoon Heart of Midlothian were also crowned Champions of the Championship.
We now have 3 huge remaining with both Ayr United and Greenock Morton set to visit Gayfield everything is there to play for.
C’mon the Lichties!
Raith Rovers
1 – Jamie MacDonald
2 – Reghan Tumilty
3 – Kieran MacDonald
6 – Kyle Benedictus (c)
7 – Daniel Armstrong (King 85)
8 – Regan Hendry
10 – Lewis Vaughan
13 – Brad Spencer
14 – Frankie Musonda
18 – Dylan Tait (Cooney 83)
21 – Kai Kennedy
Substitutes
9 – Manu Duku
11 – Timmy Abraham
16 – Jack Smith
22 – Nathan Cooney – 18; 83rd
23 – Gozie Ugwu
26 – Adam King – 7; 85th
17 – Robbie Thomson (GK)
Golas – Armstrong 29, 70
Yellow Card – Tait 68
Arbroath
1 – Derek Gaston
2 – Jason Thomson
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little
5 – Thomas O’Brien (c)
7 – David Gold
17 – Nicky Low (McKenna 74)
18 – Ben Williamson
19 – Jack Hamilton
14 – Kris Doolan (Hilson 66)
16 – Lewis Moore (Stewart 74)
Substitutes
6 – Mark Whatley
8 – Michael McKenna – 17; 74th
9 – Dale Hilson – 14 – 66th
12 – Scott Stewart – 16; 74th
22 – Carlo Pignatiello
28 – James Craigen
21 – Scott Gallacher (GK)
Goals – J. Hamilton 72, Little 84
Yellow Cards – C. Hamilton 17, Little 33, Low 50, Moore 73
Referee – Gavin Duncan
Assistant Referee 1 – Kylie McMullan
Assistant Referee 2 – Scott Anderson
