A dogged draw at Stranraer

[timlichtie]

A heavy pitch and swirling wind made it a difficult day for football. We started with McManus and Macintosh up front, Chis, Sheerin, Nicoll and Linn, Little, Trav, Keddie, Hammy and Wood in goal. Several early chances to the Lichties including a great break by Leighton. We scored with an excellent move finished from 2 yards by McManus.

Second half they penned us back and Wood made some great stops. Macintosh hit the post on a break before they levelled with a deflected shot from 30 yards.

Scott came on for PS at half time and Banjo and Deuchar came on in the last 10 mins.

Wood, Linn and Nicoll were our best players but there were no failures.

Stranraer were strong and tidy and a draw probably a fair result.

[maroonie]

Normally a point away us a good result but results went against us today with Airdrie getting a last minute winner. Next week is a massive game for us and with games against Brechin away and the Fife and Airdrie at home to follow we have a chance. Gonna need all 12 points from these I think. C'mon lichties.

[ectolichtie]

7 wins needed, I think

[ClashCityRocker]

Very good account of the match from Tim Lichtie.

Yesterday was a very good away point and a highly credible result.

Sheerin has installed a good positive team spirit within the squad - the players never give less than 100% .

Arbroath are starting to look good with big improvements and hopefully we will hit the form required in the final run in of this campaign.

Think we need to gain at least 7 wins to avoid the play offs or worse.

There is absolutely no reason why we can't do this - let the battle commence.

[timlichtie]

I failed to mention that I believe that Kev Nicol picked up 2 yellow cards but wasn't sent off. Ref was Sommers. Perhaps someone can clarify. Mr Refhater might have been there?

The ref also gave a yellow against Stranraer forward for a dive on the edge of the box in the first half. The home fans loved that!!

[ectolichtie]

Just watched the highlights, when your lucks out it is out

[timlichtie]

It certainly doesn't look like the 3rd placed team against the bottom. We're easily as good as most in this league. Good to see our 3 forwards link for the goal.

[smokie_bacon_crisps]

I didn't make the long journey done but going by the highlights and reports from people there we were very unlucky not to get 3 points. The Keeper pulling off two great saves from Leighton and Kiffy and at the other end Sandy Wood pulling off some good saves.

The games against Forfar, Brechin, East Fife and Airdrie are crucial but I think we can get some wins.

Smokies & Wine

[Mr_Refhater]

I failed to mention that I believe that Kev Nicol picked up 2 yellow cards but wasn't sent off. Ref was Sommers. Perhaps someone can clarify. Mr Refhater might have been there?

Indeed I was Tim. Sorry cannot clear this up for you. Nicoll was certainly spoken to on more than one occasion. However, I can just visually remember the one card. I wouldn't have put it past that dunderheid to have gotten it so diabolically wrong on Saturday. Another stop/start game. Every time someone went down he blew that bloody whistle! The man is the pits, full stop.

[Mr_Refhater]

As for a dogged draw. At the early stages of the campaign, or in any other season, a draw at Stair Park would have been a point gained. A respectable result at a ground that we've had difficulty at the past few seasons. Also, taking into account how well Stranraer have been playing recently, they looked no better than us on Saturday.

However. Paul Sheerin made a crucial error, in my personal opinion, on Saturday. The two central strikers were both visibly spent come 65+ minutes and the gaffer took far too long to make the changes required. Kenny Deuchar was brought on with only 5 minutes left of normal time, for the clearly tired Leighton McIntosh. Paul McManus was also struggling to maintain the pace of the game and a 'freshening up' was the requirement.

Stanraer were in the ascendancy, the pressure was mounting. And so, when the ball fell to the player outside our box and our boys failed to pressure the ball, a wicked deflection beat Sandy Wood. Very disappointing both at the time

[timlichtie]

I thought I had seen Mr Refhater. Did you walk back from Stranraer or are you just a slow typer?

A bit hard on Wood as he kept us in the game with several good stops. Agreed his kicking wasn't great but no real sclaffs like the one Scott hit against Ayr.

Sheerin was well behind the pace in the first half. I wonder if he was fully fit. Scott was good going forward in his place but I thought he didn't do enough defending.

Little was good until they brought a fresh winger on, then he struggled. I think Banjo was brought on to counter the pace of the sub.

[Mr_Refhater]

I thought I had seen Mr Refhater. Did you walk back from Stranraer or are you just a slow typer?

A bit hard on Wood as he kept us in the game with several good stops. Agreed his kicking wasn't great but no real sclaffs like the one Scott hit against Ayr

XD If I had chosen to walk I'd still be out there now and probably would still get a speeding ticket! Also be in serious risk of missing the game against the Farmers to!

Your right about Sandy Wood. Probably comes across as a bit harsh, but I was really just summarizing. Apart from his kicking he did well and should go on to cement his place ahead of Morrison.

[ClashCityRocker]

Great overview of the match from Mr Ref Hater and enjoyed reading his comments .

On the subject of Sheerin, he still has the ability to create chances and when on form his passing is still a joy to watch - he lost his pace, but is still excellent at passing the ball and making things happen.

I also think that Linn and Chisholm work well in midfield , especially allowing Linn to play the role of an attacking midfielder.

The next 4 games are going to be played like cup ties.

C'mon the 'broath.

[Mr_Refhater]

Great overview of the match from Mr Ref Hater and enjoyed reading his comments .

I also think that Linn and Chisholm work well in midfield , especially allowing Linn to play the role of an attacking midfielder.

Thanks CCR! Appreciate that. But, I still think Chisholm is red rotten. Not anywhere near the player we had in the 3rd division.

[smokie_bacon_crisps]

The Chis bashing has gotten long past it's sell by date. Yeah, everyone is entitled to their opinion blah, blah but he is the club captain and has the full respect of the players and the management.

There is no one individual responsible for our league position and in times like this we should be rallying behind the entire team.

[maroonie]

The Chis bashing has gotten long past it's sell by date. Yeah, everyone is entitled to their opinion blah, blah but he is the club captain and has the full respect of the players and the management.

There is no one individual responsible for our league position and in times like this we should be rallying behind the entire team.
Well said SBC. Whether you think Chis is playing well or not, as supporters we should get behind him and the rest of the players selected by PS on Saturday. It's not going to be an easy game and sniping at individuals won't help. 100% support needed in the first of our Cup finals. C'mon lichties

[AFC1320]

Well said s_b_c, lets stick behind every player and the WHOLE team and stop the bitching.

C'mon the Red Lichties.

[smokie_bacon_crisps]

I wasn't having a go at anyone in particular with my comment, but I just feel like everytime you read P&B or something on here, he sadly is always the fall guy which I think is unfair.

[Mr_Refhater]

Just want to bring a bit of clarity to the affairs. Having been at every game this season I've seen a lot of Chis and the viewing from my perspective has been pretty dreadful. The boy certainly seems to divide opinion however.

Personally I think thought that if not all, most of the other players did themselves justice on Saturday. Sadly however you look at it Chisholm is just not pulling his wait. It's akin to playing with 10 men every game. His form did pick up slightly after being dropped for a view games, earlier in the campaign. But, slowly the performances have depreciated.

Anyway, I'll be supporting the team 100% on Saturday and hope for - in my opinion - a better display from Chisholm...

[timlichtie]

We really need both Chis and the Gaffer back to their best for Saturday. Only Kev Nicol impressed in midfield at Stranraer. Young Scott did ok for Sheerin in the second half, but still needs to develop his defending game.

I fancy we might need to defend a bit against Emmerdale.