Arbroath0–0Clyde

Well, this is now the last game of the first quarter of the season and things have been a lot tougher in the Second Division than we thought they would be. With half of the other teams being full time our heroes of last season have been up against it and it looks as this game will be just as hard as Clyde gubbed the League Leaders, Inverness CT, 4-1 last week. Having travelled North America on holiday over the last 2 weeks, and missed another two 2-0 defeats (though did not miss any Arbroath goals), it was back to Gayfield for the ninth league match of the season.

With Steve Florence suspended following his sending off last Saturday against Partick, the Lichties lined up with transfer requested Hinchie in goal, Kevin Tindall and Dougie Scott at full back, "Vinnie" Jones, McAulay and Crawford in the centre of defence, Thomson, Gallagher and McGlashan in midfield and Mercer and Spence up front. I was not surprised to see that O’Driscoll was not playing, though he was still with us on loan, as his performances before I went on hols did not match up to what we would expect from a Premier League player. On the bench were Arbuckle, Sellars and Grant. Clyde lined up with former Gayfielder, Ian Spittal (now without the long hair), as captain. We were playing, for the first time I had been at Gayfield this season, towards the "Switchie" end in the first half which saved the pitiful low home support the long walk to the other end in the freezing wind.

We started quite brightly though it was still very obvious that Dave Baikie was still adopting a cautious approach to the game with the midfield playing back just in front of the defence leaving the two forwards to do all the chasing up front. Gallagher was trying to play a left winger position but alas it was one of these day’s when Gal’s footballing ability had been left at home - free kicks were hit out for goal kicks, passes misplaced and dribbling runs let him without the ball at his feet. Despite the cold conditions and the strong wind coming straight in from the north sea we were playing quite well and were the better team in the first half. As is normal with a team at the bottom of the league whose forwards had not scored this season we were not getting he breaks, a Mercer header went just over the bar followed by an attempt from McGlashan which just went past. Thomson was booked for a badly timed tackle. Following a stramash in the Clyde goal area their keeper lost the ball when being harassed by Spence and McGlashan, the ball broke to the Arbroath right and to the howls of abuse from the crowd, the referee blew to allow the keeper, who was still lying where he had fallen in the goal area, to get treatment - "cheating &^%£$^," roared the fans. Spence, Mercer and McGlashan all had chances which went close and in another stramash in the goal mouth, the ball rebounded from the keeper and a cracking shot from one of the Lichtie players (could not see who) was cleared off of the goal line by a defender. Hinchie had a couple of saves at the other end before the dull first half, apart from the scoring chances, finished with no scoring though (Mercer just failed to connect with a McGlashan cross just on half time), with a bit of luck, a 3-1 score line would not have flattered us.

No changes at half time (only Gallagher would have deserved to have been subbied) and the second half continued on the same lines as the first half - team concentrating on defence, little forward movement from the midfield and the forwards chasing long balls. Spence broke through with support from Mercer but dilly dallied too long, allowed the defence to regroup and his short ball to Thomson was intercepted when a cross to Mercer should have been made. The enclosure side linesman aroused the wrath of the crowd by failing to spot a foul on an Arbroath player and got continuos abuse for the next 10 minutes - this livened up things for a bit. McGlashan and an attempt which just went pass, Hinchie had to be quick off the mark to clear some poor pass backs and also make a couple of fine saves. Arbuckle and Grant replaced Spence and Thomson, Grantie fluffed a great chance just after he came on which drew calls for his substitution from the crowd. Tindall was brought down by the keeper after winning the ball but no penalty was awarded. Dougie Scott. who was playing very well at full back, was sent off for bringing down a Clyde player which neither I or the referee saw but the stand side linesman did and Dougie walked. Another great save from Hinchie, Sellars replaced Tindall, another Lichtie shot cleared by a defender at the other end and the game finished 0-0.

We are still too cautious, Clyde were there for the beating but the fear of losing a goal is much stronger that our wish to score one. Mercer had a good game and was unlucky, "Vinnie" Jones is strong in the centre of defence but his ball distribution, when not under pressure, leaves much to be desired. The return of Arbuckle may boost our attacking midfield but we need to start winning games soon and a change of approach to committed to attacking may pay off.