East Fife1–5Arbroath

Arbroath made the short journey to Fife to take on Gary Naysmith’s East Fife in the final game of 2014 which also marked the half way stage of the season. Despite freezing conditions and hard frost in Arbroath the game, to many people’s surprise went ahead. Upon arrival in Methil it was clear why, as conditions were bright and there was no frost in sight.

East Fife had been the only team which had been able to prevent the red hot Lichties from scoring but with Gary Naysmith missing due to injury and the impressive Jonathon Page returning to Dunfermline it was a very different defence that Arbroath were facing up to.

Arbroath were unchanged and lined up with Marc McCallum in goal, Ricky Little and Craig Johnstone at right and left back respectively with Scott McBride partnering Kevin Nicoll in central defence. Adam Hunter and Mark Whatley were the central midfield pairing with Bobby Linn and Jordan Lowdon on the right and left wings with Paul McManus partnering Simon Murray up front.

Keiran Stewart returned from injury to be named as a substitute and he was joined by new loan signing Dylan Easton and they joined birthday boy Jack Smith, Kevin Buchan, Johnny Lindsay, Aldin El-Zubaidi and Scott Morrison on the bench.

A minutes silence was observed for the Glasgow tragedy before kick off.

Arbroath kicked off the game shooting towards the North Sea. Both teams tried to hold onto possession but it was East Fife who won the first corner of the game but Marc McCallum punched the ball clear before any danger was created.

It only took Arbroath until the 9th minute to open the scoring when a beautiful pass by Jordan Lowdon from the half way line sliced through the East Fife defence which found the on rushing Simon Murray and he kept his cool to round Allan Fleming and slot home for his 14th goal of the season.

The lead only lasted for 7 minutes though as East Fife came back into the game after Craig Johnstone was alleged to have brought down Caolan McAleer in the box. Jon McShane stepped up and struck the ball to his left with McCallum only able to watch on as he dived to the opposite side.

Arbroath had an excellent chance just a minute after the restart when Bobby Linn was through on goal but was taken out by Kevin Smith after a clumsy tackle. Scott McBride stepped up and curled in an excellent free kick but Allan Fleming punched it onto the bar before going out for a corner. Simon Murray almost headed in but it was put out for another corner kick. Arbroath kept pushing and both Paul McManus and Bobby Linn had shots which just zipped over the bar as they increased the pressure.

Simon Murray jinked past 3 East Fife defenders before another two stepped in as he looked hungry for more goals. Craig Johnstone also popped up and hit a lovely long range effort but it was saved by Fleming for yet another corner.

East Fife were forced into a change as Scott Smith picked up an injury and he was to be replaced by Ross Campbell whose father Dick was in the crowd watching on. Arbroath at times looked exposed on the right with Ricky Little left on his own as Bobby Linn played through the centre but for the possession East Fife did retain they didn’t seem to be able to do anything with it.

Half time – East Fife 1 – 1 Arbroath

The second half had only just started when the game changed completely. Ricky Little chased the ball down the right wing with keeper Fleming coming rushing out of his box to clear the ball on the wing with shouts of handball from a few Arbroath players as he tangled with Little, but as Fleming rushed back into his goals Little won a throw in by the corner flag. As Little launched his throw into the box towards McManus it was cleared to Hunter but Ross Campbell went diving in on Hunter at the edge of the 18 yard box and with the referee inches away he showed no hesitation in flashing a red card to Campbell.

After some treatment Adam Hunter was able to return to the field. Bobby Linn took the resulting free kick but it took a deflection en route to goals which meant Fleming had to clear for another corner. Scott McBride outlept everyone to meet the corner but his header just landed on the wrong side of the left hand post.

A good move by McManus, Murray and the impressive Lowdon almost resorted in a goal but Arbroath’s second goal wasn’t far away. Craig Johnstone set Lowdon free on the left wing and as he crossed into the box Paul McManus’s movement allowed him to get to the ball ahead of the defender and to fire the ball across goal into the back of the net. This was his 17th goal of the season!

Like many times this season Arbroath struck again as East Fife tried to recover. This time Simon Murray picked up the ball and ran towards goal. Paul McManus run across his path to his right and as soon as he found space Murray slid the ball beautifully so McManus could unleash a shot. Allan Fleming did brilliantly to save but his save fell directly to McManus who didn’t even think and just instinctively hooked the ball back into the box where Murray volleyed it into the net – beautiful.
As all the Arbroath players celebrated the goal in front of the vocal and delighted Lichtie support you could see the unity and passion shining in the dark winter’s afternoon.

As East Fife tried a plan B it was ex Lichtie Alan Cook who was brought on for Caolan McAleer but it mattered little as Arbroath swarmed forward again and as Whatley ran into the box his pass was deflected and Murray didn’t even have to move as he was instinctively already waiting and turned and beat Fleming at his inside post to clinch his second hat trick within a month – no doubt many, many more to come in his career.

The second half had been one way traffic with East Fife struggling to get on the ball at all with shouts of “olay” from the Lichtie support as the passes went from left to right across the defence, with perhaps frustration getting to some of the East Fife players with referee having to talk to Allan Walker and Paul McManus.

Dylan Easton made his Arbroath debut in the 68th minute when he replaced Jordan Lowdon who had his best Arbroath performance so far. Easton looked lively with a determination as he showed some excellent touches down the left wing. A few minutes later and Simon Murray went off to huge applause as he was replaced by Birthday boy Jack Smith.

Dylan Easton looked to get on the score sheet as he cut inside from the wing before being caught by McShane at the edge of the D, with Easton taking the free kick himself. Arbroath made their final change a Kevin Buchan replaced Paul McManus and East Fife brought on Daryl Falconer for Jon McShane. Adam Hunter had another long range effort on target but it was straight at Fleming.

Arbroath did get their 5th goal as Easton ran with the ball from the half way line before finding Jack Smith, who struck the ball into the back of the net as Fleming came rushing out to claim a brilliant birthday present to himself. The referee soon blew for full time to end East Fife’s misery and to let the celebrations begin for the Lichties.