Starks Park saw fourth placed Raith Rovers face league leaders Arbroath. The visitors were without a win since their emphatic victory over Dunfermline on Boxing Day. Raith Rovers were over a month since their last victory. This game was always going to be close.
The hosts started with a solid line-up at the back, hoping to limit chances for the visiting Red Lichties. Real quality going forward too in the shape of Ben Williamson as well as new signing Jamie Gullan. Arbroath however, fielded a very attacking team with balance in midfield. On loan Hearts player Chris Hamilton say on front of the defence, allowing Nicky Low to push on and cause a threat in behind. It certainly looked like an interesting prospect before a ball was kicked.
Both teams emerged at 15:00, and the hosts got an incredible reception from the 500 faithful Rovers fans in attendance. Arbroath certainly knew what they were in for.
First half
Not even a minute in and Raith Rovers defender Christophe Berra was clattered in a 50/50. Arbroath setting the tone early on, they’re not to be messed with despite the noisy home supporters.
A slower tempo to the game, anyone expecting a scrappy start certainly wouldn’t be disappointed. The hosts keeping the ball in their own half, being pressed high by their part time opponents.
The first ten minutes came and went without any real chances for either team, on loan Livingston striker Jack Hamilton having the best opportunity of the match, through on goal, but his touch too heavy to take round Jamie McDonald.
The start of the game really did lack quality. Both sides very content with frustrating each other defensively, with occasional breaks forward. Neither team had a dominating passage of play in the opening twenty minutes, contrary to expectations before the game kicked off.
Arbroath were set up to give Rovers little time or space to do anything productive on the ball, and therefore they couldn’t play their usual free flowing football, rarely threatening the visitors’ goal.
Arbroath started to edge back into proceedings with around ten minutes to go, plenty crosses, but no end product. Story of the game thus far.
Forty-two minutes in and a goal for Raith Rovers! Against the run of play sure, but a lovely break concluded by a tap in by Reghan Tumilty gave the hosts the lead. The home fans were jubilant. Fury in the visiting dugout, who were adamant there was an offside in the process. Manager Dick Campbell was booked after he confronted the assistant referee on the near side.
Tumilty celebrates opening the scoring for Raith (Getty Images)
A great time to score too, and a goal which at the time moved Rovers up to second in the league.
Second half
It took only two minutes for Arbroath to find an equaliser! A cross from Scott Stewart was met by Jack Hamilton and the ball trundled into the back of the net. Too easy, but Arbroath back on level terms. Poor from Raith Rovers who looked solid at the back up until then, but present Hamilton with a chance like that and he’ll take it.
The following few minutes was similar to the first forty-five, both teams cancelling each other out without really finding a foothold in the game. A lengthy pause was endured as Christophe Berra required treatment, he was taken off and replaced by Dario Zanatta. A player who has been a real bright spark in Rovers’ season so far.
On came Craig Wighton for Arbroath, making his second debut for the club following his arrival from fellow championship side Dunfermline. Could he be the player to make the difference?
A rather drab match in some aspects, both sides occasionally showing they have got quality, but very few passages of play fully displayed that. Still locked at 1-1 as we entered the final fifteen minutes, both sides lacking that quality in the final third. A fair reflection on both teams’ form going into the game.
With only eight minutes to go, Arbroath were awarded a penalty! Seconds before an intended cross rifled off the post, the ball was bouncing about in the box and Colin Hamilton was fouled. Nicky Low made no mistake! A fantastic penalty was thumped down the middle. 2-1 to the visitors.
A first of the season for Nicky Low (Arbroath FC)
It was a Colin Hamilton thunderbolt that was denied by Jamie McDonald only minutes after, destined for the top corner. A sublime save to keep Rovers in it.
The hosts were throwing everything at it with proceedings nearly over, corner after corner cleared at the near post before another cross was headed away. Arbroath defending for their lives. Following the brief period of domination from the Rovers, Arbroath quickly had the ball up the park and in the corner. Raith Rovers players not getting near it.
Full time: Raith Rovers 1-2 Arbroath
Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn comments: “Take nothing away from Arbroath, they’re top of the table for a reason. We passed the ball nicely in the first half, but with no real cutting edge. At the same time they didn’t really open us up, we probably scored against the run of play. We gave them a lift by allowing them to get a goal back, it’s a poor one for us to lose. We should defend it, stop the cross coming in. It was really poor. Annoyed and disappointed with the performance we put in there. It was a silly challenge for the penalty, how you think you’re going to go through the player and get the ball is crazy. There’s no excuses.”
Arbroath assistant manager Ian Campbell comments: “Raith Rovers are a good team, you’ve got to be organised. I think we deserved the win. All credit to the players, their attitude is first class. The belief in our squad is really really good and it always has been. I wasn’t surprised we gave them a hard game. We were only expecting to play him (Nicky Low) for forty-five minutes! But he’s such an infectious character, you could hardly take him off. Donnelly hasn’t played in eight weeks, Jack wasn’t playing much, so its all starting to gel together now. It’s an enjoyable place to be, the players are great and individually they’re a lot better than people give them credit for. I’m pleased with the character shown, but we’ve come to expect that. There’s a cutting edge about our team. The character was what we expected, but you can’t take it for granted. Coming from behind and getting three points tells you a wee bit about us.”
Arbroath gaffer Dick Campbell (Getty Images)
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