Arbroath0–2Annan

Arbroath returned to Gayfield on Saturday to face Jim Chapman’s Annan Athletic which would complete the first quarter of the season. Todd Lumsden and Steven Hislop kept their faith in the same starting eleven who had put East Stirlingshire to the sword. However injuries to Jamie Reid and Kane Hester denied the Lichties two of their forward players with Kieran McWalter also missing out to a bug.

Arbroath Starting 11; Fleming, Watson, Munro, Little, Johnstone, Linn, Stewart, Whatley, Alvarez, Ramsay and Ryan. Returning to the bench were Craig Wilson and Joao Victoria – Grehan, Lowdon, Clarke, Gold, Wilson, Victoria and Brodie.

It had been a beautiful week in Arbroath but despite being slighty hazy, Gayfield was still warm with Summer like conditions for a match in October. Arbroath kicked off and it was a lively start from Annan with a long pass up field being flicked on first by Peter Weatherson and then by Smart Osadolor to Matthew Flynn who got into a good shooting opportunity but failed to strike on target.

A long pass up the park by Craig Watson was chased down by Andy Ryan who got the better of Steven Black and raced towards goal. Steven Swinglehurst and Black tried to block Ryan’s route to goal but despite being under pressure Ryan slid a pass through to Keiran Stewart who ran into the box only to be sent flying by the sliding foot of Bryan Gilfillian with referee Kevin Graham standing only feet away he blew his whistle and immediately pointed to the spot.

Arbroath had now been awarded two penalties in successive matches – a long wait after their last kick coming back in November 2014. Bobby Linn took responsibility but former Celtic keeper Jordan Hart correctly guessed which way and punched Linn’s kick away before it was cleared by Martin McNiff to safety.

The Lichties were soon left ruing the save as Annan Athletic won a corner kick in the 10th minute. The original ball played in was cleared by Swinglehurst found Omar back out on the wing and his cross was headed away by Linn but experienced hitman Peter Weatherson was lurking in the D and as the ball fell to him he smashed it on the volley through the crowded box with the ball taking a big deflection before it hit the back of the net.

Arbroath pressed and Sergio Alvarez showed some neat skill and quick feet in the box to turn and shoot before Andy Ryan also forced Hart into a save when he struck from 20 yards. Allan Fleming was forced into conceding a corner when a quick turn by Smart Osadolor allowed him a chance to strike a powerful shot at goal. From the resulting corner Craig Watson’s header clear fell to the foot of Peter Watson who played the ball back in low but as Ricky Little stretched to clear he was left helpless with the ball volleyed off his own boot and into the back of the net in the 23rd minute.

The Annan back line were physically impressive and were winning most of the aerial challenges as Ryan led the line but when Arbroath started to pass the ball around their pace was soon finding holes to expose but despite some good moves it seemed like the last ball through was taking a bounce or a slight deflection and the Lichties weren’t getting the breaks.

Annan Athletic were fortunate not to concede another penalty kick when Bobby Linn entered their box from the left wing and just as he was about to strike was physically pushed off the ball by Gilfillian. The misfortune continued when Darren Ramsay was put through one-on-one with Hart but the keeper somehow managed to block Ramsay’s shot as he ran out to meet him. Craig Watson, Sergio Alvarez and Bobby Linn all tried their luck from distance but couldn’t find a way past Hart.

Half time – Arbroath 0 – 2 Annan Athletic

A ball through by Stewart found Linn who passed to Ryan who turned and shooting forcing Hart into a low save in the first minute of the second half as Arbroath looked for a way back into the goal. It was to Ryan’s last chance of the game as a few minutes later he was replaced by Martin Grehan. Arbroath were dominating the game but were being forced to shoot from distance with Mark Whatley forcing another save from Hart as he struck a shot from 25 yards out.

Ricky Little who was trying to inspire from the rear came racing forward with the ball at his feet into the Annan half only to be fouled by Swinglehurst which resulted in a booking for the Annan player. The introduction of Grehan was allowing the tall striker to win crosses and his physical presence was allowing him to hold the ball up for his team mates to get up and support him. Arbroath made their second change when David Gold came on for Keiran Stewart.

Good work by Gold and Ramsay allowed a ball to be whipped into the middle of the box from the right wing which found Grehan unmarked and as he stretched his leg out his shot beat Hart and found the back of the net – only for the stand side linesman to have his flag raised for offside which seemed a recurring theme for the final 45 minutes with the Annan defenders raising their hands seemingly every time Arbroath threatened.

Ryan Finnie replaced Smart Osadolor as Annan seemed content to defend their lead. Their best chance of the second half was from a free kick but Weatherson’s effort was high over Fleming’s net.
Darren Ramsay was booked for protesting a handball in the Annan penalty box.

Arbroath again had the ball in the back of the Annan net. This time it came from a free kick Grehan had won after Finnie pulled him down on the left wing. Darren Ramsay curled the ball into towards goal and as Grehan, Little and Ramsay attacked the ball it was Ramsay who flicked it high into the net past Hart. Despite Gilfinnian appearing to play everyone onside the linesman again flagged and again the goal wasn’t given.

Joao Victoria came on for Craig Johnstone and David Ferguson replaced Peter Weatherson. Ricky Little was booked for a challenge on Omar and once more Arbroath were flagged for offside as Grehan robbed Hart of the ball as Watson’s header was spilled. As the clock ran down Jamie Watson replaced Rabin Omar for Annan.

Full time – Arbroath 0 – 2 Annan Athletic

Arbroath were punished for missing the penalty kick and despite throwing everything at the Annan defence they were tall and strong and threw lots of bodies behind every Arbroath attack. It wasn’t a bad performance, but proves again how tight the league is. All is still to play for. At the same stage 5 years ago the team that went on to win Arbroath’s first every league title sat on the same points.