Arbroath2–0Berwick Rangers

Arbroath welcomed Berwick Rangers and Colin Cameron for the last league game of 2014 at Gayfield. Only one match remains of 2014 which will also coincide with the half way point of the current season and the Lichties were looking for the perfect early Christmas gift of 3 points.

Manager Allan Moore has stated in the media over the last few days his desire to strengthen his squad when the January transfer window opens and this was again evident as Keiran Stewart missed out again due to injury leaving 2 empty spaces on the bench.

Arbroath lined up with Marc McCallum in goal and Ricky Little and Craig Johnstone at right and left back respectively with two midfielders playing in central defence as Scott McBride partnered Kevin Nicoll. Adam Hunter and Mark Whatley were the central midfield pairing with Bobby Linn and Jordan on the right and left wings with Paul McManus returning to partner Simon Murray up front.

The bench consisted of Jack Smith, Kevin Buchan, Johnny Lindsay, Aldin El-Zubaidi and Scott Morrison.

Conditions were bright and dry in Arbroath as referee Kevin Graham led out the teams. Arbroath kicked off proceedings and took aim towards the Harbour end. Bobby Linn had obviously been targeted as Arbroath’s danger man, but he had only made his first touch of the game when was abruptly taken down by a heavy challenge by Steven Notman. With Notman escaping a booking and even being spoken to by the referee it was perhaps the first step towards him being taken off many Arbroath fans Christmas card list.

It was another heavy challenge, this time by Jacobs on Jordan Lowdon as he escaped down the left wing which was really the only other talking point of a muted opening spell. The home supporters were left fuming once again as Bobby Linn played in Ricky Little to run down the wing then cut in to the box, as he made towards goal he was tracked by Andrew Russell and he made a real strikers challenge which left Ricky Little flattened in the box, but despite the protests and the appeals from the terraces play raced on. Paul McManus sparked Arbroath into life with a shot from just outside the box after a clever flick on from Simon Murray before shooting again from distance just seconds later.

It was another heavy and late tackle by Jacobs which left Craig Johnstone in a heap on the floor on the left wing but as play raced on the ball didn’t go out of play, instead Linn won possession and set free Murray who chased the ball and defender forcing Andrews in goal into a rushed clearance which flew up and back towards the corner flag and as McManus hurried Hoskins the rebound bounced off the defender for an Arbroath corner kick. As play finally stopped the referee ran over to book Jacobs. Jordan Lowdon took the corner kick and as it swung in under the bar Andrews was forced to tip over for another corner kick.

Arbroath broke the deadlock when a Ricky Little throw in from the right wing was beautifully dummied by Paul McManus to Simon Murray who yet again showed stealth like skills and an opportunistic hunger to slip in and strike with his right foot past Andrews from 8 yards. Simon Murray’s 10th league goal of the season – electric!

Bobby Linn took another heavy tackle from Notman which this time did produce a talking to from the referee but still no card. Marc McCallum did get a touch of the ball in the first half when he saved a Paul Willis shot but as the first half drew to a close he had been protected well by his defenders in the opening 45 minutes.

Half time – Arbroath 1 – 0 Berwick Rangers

The second half kicked off as Kevin Nicoll finally appeared out of the tunnel and Arbroath had a great opportunity within seconds as Bobby Linn won possession and set Simon Murray free down the right wing. Murray tried to find McManus who was running in to the 6 yard box but under pressure from Fairburn his cross come shot was saved by Andrews.

Berwick’s top scorer Darren Lavery had a shot from outside the box but McCallum was there to catch. Paul McManus chased a packbass which Berwick keeper Andrews came rushing out for but he could only head clear as it was on the edge of the 18 yard box but his clearance fell to Linn who tried to curl it round and in but his cheeky effort was blocked.

However Arbroath were soon to double their lead. Jordan Lowdon found Bobby Linn, but he had Willis chasing him but a stumble from an attempt challenge left Willis on his back and Linn free to sprint on and into the box. As Simon Murray waited at the back post for Linn’s cross Bobby had other ideas with a rocket of a right foot shot which beat Andrews at his near post and flew across goal and into the top left hand corner.

Arbroath continued to enjoy good spells of possession with a series of corner kicks and throw ins close to the Berwick goal. In an attempt to change the run of play Berwick Rangers made their first change with ex Lichtie Paul Currie coming on for David Gold. This was followed by two further substitutes a few minutes later with Drummond and Dalziel replacing Hoskins and Russell.

As Paul McManus threatened down the right, Berwick won back possession and looked to push out but Craig Johnstone flew in with a sliding tackle on Lavery which resulted in a yellow card. Berwick Ranger’s best chance of the game came in the 79th minute when a long range swerving strike from Darren Lavery hit the top of the bar.

As Jordan Lowdon broke from his own box his run forward came crashing to a halt after another heavy challenge by Steven Notman sparked a fuse from the Arbroath players as they rushed in to confront Notman. After a few seconds the flashpoint had been brought under control by referee Kevin Graham who finally booked Notman.

Arbroath made their first change with Kevin Buchan replacing Jordan Lowdon and Buchan almost grabbed Arbroath’s third when he struck on the half volley from 25 yards out but his shot just missed the right hand post. In stoppage time Jack Smith replaced Paul McManus but seconds later the full time whistle blew.