Arbroath3–1Clyde

A week in a football can feel like a long time, but sometimes the gap is a good measure. A time to reflect, recharge and focus on the final sprint. Today marked the start of the final quarter and the last push as the season’s finish line is within sight. It was a chance for the Lichties to get back on the pitch and let their football do the talking.

Conditions at Gayfield were good, with no wind to disrupt the game and favourable conditions for a good game as Clyde came to town. Arbroath made several changes to the starting line up with Paul McManus and Jack Smith dropping to the bench and Liam Gordon and Adam Hunter missing out through injury. This meant Ricky Little, Ryan McGeever and Craig Johnstone and Simon Murray returned to the starting line-up.

Marc McCallum started in goals with Little and Johnstone at right and left back with Nicoll and McGeever the central pairing. In midfield Mark Whatley was joined with Dylan Carreiro in midfield with Kieran Stewart and Scott McBride on the right and left wings with Bobby Linn playing in behind Simon Murray up front. The bench consisted of McManus, Buchan, Rowan, Grant, Smith, Lowdon and Wilson.

Clyde kicked off towards the Pleasure land end but within a few seconds Scott McBride had won Arbroath an early free kick on the left wing before finding himself with the ball at his feet in the Clyde box after good work from Keiran Stewart but there were just too many bodies in his way to get a shot in.

Arbroath were to take the lead inside the two minute mark as Simon Murray with his never-give-up attitude chased down a Clyde defender. Murray robbed him of the ball just outside the Clyde box before sprinting in towards goal, as he looked up he slide across a perfect pass to Bobby Linn who calmly slotted past Alan Martin in the Clyde goal to give the Lichties the perfect start! It was the confidence shot to the arm that everyone was looking for.

The goal however seemed to spark Clyde into life and for the next few minutes they had long periods of possession from back to front but failed to utilise their possession only forcing 2 corner kicks and unable to force into McCallum into a save but Paul Slane looked their main threat with McGeever and Nicoll able to keep the experienced Mark Roberts at bay.

A tidy run by Dylan Carreiro which ended with a shot just outside the box won Arbroath their first corner in the 15th minute. The next 10 minutes passed without any real moments as action moved from end to end. A good run by Paul Shane ended with a shot from distance but it went wide past McCallum’s left hand post.

The first real flashpoint of the game came when Stephen O’Donnell was shown a yellow card for a bad challenge on Keiran Stewart. As Stewart lay on the ground Sloan seemed to raise his hands to Ricky Little with Referee Cook having to step in between the two. As Cook booked Sloan he then had a very long chat with Little before also showing him the yellow card which seemed very unjust. The free kick was whipped into the box by Carreiro but nobody in maroon could connect.

David Marsh tumbled with Simon Murray in the Clyde box but the referee didn’t deem there to be any foul but Murray was again going to turn provider as he fed Bobby Linn who sprinted at goalkeeper Martin with ball at his feet before smashing it past Martin from 14 yards out to put Arbroath 2 goals to the good as the whole team celebrated Linn’s sublime second.

Ex Lichtie Ross Fisher came on for Ged Traynor 4 minutes before half time. Scott McBride unlucky conceded a foul just outside the Arbroath box when he collided with Keigan Parker which gave Clyde a chance to strike a free kick but the Lichties defence remained strong and the team held on to half time.

Half time – Arbroath 2 – 0 Clyde

Clyde came back out with the same energy they had shown in the first half but as they managed to win possession and string a few passes together but they always broke down in the last third either with a bad pass or an Arbroath clearance but Keigan Parker had their best chance of the match so far when he struck in the 46th minute.

Arbroath knew a win was required and as they had their turn to keep possession then moved forward a good move by Dylan Carreiro who set up Craig Johnstone who smashed a left foot shot at Martin but he was able to save but it showed Arbroath’s intentions.

Bobby Linn has constantly week in, week out been the shining light or Licht for Arbroath and not only does he create and assist but always one of the first players to chase back and today he was rewarded with his season long efforts as he claimed a brilliant hat trick.

It was the same combination who teamed up with Simon Murray again chasing the ball allowing Linn to ride a Mark McLaughlin foul with the referee letting play advance as Linn darted towards the Clyde box and as three defenders homed in he took his shot and beat Martin for the 3rd time in 52 minutes. As Linn turned to celebrate he ran almost as fast as he done for the goal as ducked and dived past his team mates who were looking to celebrate with him but Linn ran to his manager in the dugout which ended in jubilant scenes on and off the pitch.

Clyde swapped Mark Roberts for Jamie Pollock as they tried to freshen things up front. Arbroath almost got their 4th, this time Linn feeding in Murray who was allowed to run at the Clyde goal who cut back and shot with his right foot but Martin was able to get down and save.

Arbroath kept up the momentum as Carreiro who had moved out to the right wing combined with Linn as Martin’s goal was coming under attack. Mark Whatley who had another super game almost got on the score sheet as he hammered in through a ruck of players but it came agonisingly close to Martin’s post. Another chance this time which came from Carreiro’s cross come shot went flying across the goal line but just wouldn’t fall to Murray who was lurking at the back post.

Marc McCallum was booked bizarrely by Referee Cook. McCallum had raced over to try and keep the ball in play by his corner flag but as it went out for a Clyde throw in and bounced back onto the field he flicked the ball away from the Clyde’s players hands as he went to pick it up. However there was no doubt about the next yellow card as David Marsh’s right boot flew high and connected with Scott McBride in the chest as they both went for the ball.

Bobby Linn again picked up the ball and with menace ran at the Clyde goal and although Marsh ran with him he was able to get a shot from a tight angle which Martin palmed away before it could reach McBride and Murray who were waiting beyond. Arbroath had a slight scare as Mark Whatley pulled up but he seemed to shake it off as Clyde made their final change with Brian McQueen replacing Scott McManus.

Arbroath were forced into making a change too as Dylan Carreiro pulled up immediately signalling for the physio as soon as he received the ball, which he himself put out of play so he could get treatment. It signalled two changes for Arbroath with Paul McManus coming on for Bobby Linn before Thomas Grant replaced Carreiro.

The tempo of the game had gone, but Simon Murray was still determined to get back on the score sheet and not for the first time in the game seemed to be unfortunately ruled out for offside as his sheer pace had him set free one on one with the keeper.

Kevin Buchan came on for Simon Murray with two minutes remaining. Clyde did pull a late goal back with almost the last kick of the game as Keigan Parker beat McCallum after a late lapse in the Arbroath defence which took a slight shine off a good performance.