You never really know what you're gonna get from Arbroath. At times this season, they've looked the kind of team that your kids' under eleven side could beat. At other times, like their Boxing Day visit to Bayview, they've looked like world beaters. Today they had their confident hats on and will feel pretty aggrieved that they ultimately got hee-haw out of this latest encounter. The fact that the Fife headed home at five o'clock with another three precious points speaks volumes about the attitude of every one of our players. Awesome!

After the winds and rains that have battered the country this last week, it was great to hear that the match was on at all. To arrive at the ground on a bright, mild afternoon with just the lightest of breezes (blowing out to sea!!!!) was a perfect surprise. The pitch looked grand as well so everything appeared to be in place for a cracker of a game. The best laid plans, eh...?

Both teams were fairly evenly matched throughout but, despite some decent midfield play by both sets of players, neither team really seemed to be firing on all cylinders. Bobby Linn had made a great chance for himself quite early on when Robbie Raeside made an arse of clearing a long ball forward from Greig McDonald. However, the striker contrived to somehow splodge it straight at the Lichties' keeper and the move fizzled out. At the other end it wasn't proving any easier for the home team.

Having said that, however, their failure to create much was down to some great play by Tweed and Smart. The captain was his usual, courageous and dependable self but Jonathan in particular had an outstanding game today and pretty much bossed everything that came near him. With a determined Arbroath side giving as good as they got, they had plenty of possession and kept our defence busy for most of the game. Smart took it all in his stride and quite rightly grabbed our man of the match plaudits for this week. When not mopping up at the back, he was happy to head upfield and assist Linn, Young and Templemen. All three were having great shifts (some of the movement at times in the first half was outstanding) but all were struggling a bit to create any clear cut chances.

Even so, with another great travelling support behind them, you could sense that the boys on the park weren't going to let their early frustrations hold them back for ever. Fozzie was unlucky to see a snap-shot go just wide (to be fair, the Arbroath keeper probably had it covered) but with just ten minutes to go until the break he turned provider - firing forward a fifty yard free kick for new boy, Chris Templeman, to rise and easily head home from close range. It had taken the big man all of two hours to open his account for the Fife. I guess he's settled into the team quite well....

It was a superb goal and, on the balance of play, we were just about edging it. We didn't have much time to rest on our laurels, mind. Within just a couple of minutes Arbroath proved that they weren't gonna remain downhearted for long. Sweeping forward in numbers there were able, for once, to get behind the defence and fired a decent effort goalwards. Willie McCulloch, who'd had a fairly quiet afternoon up until that time, was still sharp enough to bring off a fine save, but it would certainly have stung his fingertips....

Our hosts continued to enjoy a good deal of possession as the second period began. However, whereas they'd been hard working and nippy in the opening forty five, for some reason they were altogether more petulent in the second. Robbie Raeside had been niggling at Fotheringham throughout but now started leaving the boot in too (and, dare I mention it, throwing his elbows about a bit). Despite giving Raeside a (few) good talking(s) to, the ref appeared disinclined to note his name in the book - maybe Robbie would have insisted in giving his telephone number too.... (you have to believe me, when I started this report I was determined not to go down this line... But a gag's a gag after all so sorry if I've offended anyone....).

Even though things got a bit more exciteable, it was encouraging to see that all of the players (notwithstanding the Fozz....) kept their cool. It was noticeable that Steven Tweed never shut up, encouraging the rest of the team and being there to make sure that nobody reacted when things got a bit more "involved". That level of professionalism was also reflected by our performance with the ball at our feet. Lloyd Young especially looked as good as ever, combining well with Davison, Linn and Templeman throughout. He was unlucky on a couple of occasions when long range efforts were scrambled wide by Darren Hill in the Arbroath goal.

The home side continued to work hard without ever really troubling the Fife. It was very much the same in the other last third - we persevered, attempting to play patient, controlled football. All our efforts, however, were to come to nought. And with time running out, it looked like we might rue our profligacy and recklessness in front of the Lichties' goal. Just ten minutes from the end, Arbroath moved forward once again. Bryan Scott found enough room at the edge of the Fife box (wrongfooting Johnny Smart in the process) and fired a low rasping shot towards the corner of the net. We all held our collective breaths for a second before sucking in great gulps of air as McCulloch scurried across his line to push the ball behind. Fuckin' crackin' save Willie!

The resulting corner was easily cleared and that effectively knocked the stuffing out of our hosts. They'd given it their best shot (the same performance on another day may well have won all the points) but found themselves lacking a cutting edge. In the closing few minutes we could really have put the icing on the cake when Kevin Gordon (a late substitute for Kevin Davison) ran unchecked on the Arbroath goal. With just the keeper to beat he slewed his shot wide. However, with the points already in the bag, the only penalty we were to suffer was to witness the poor bugger's cheeks changing a deep, deep crimson - whit a brammer!

Not that he'd be worrying for long. Just moments later the final whistle sounded and, despite not exactly being at our best, the boys had been rewarded with another fine victory; surely it can't be long now until we can seriously start thinking about..... Well, not yet. Let's just enjoy the moment for what it is - three more points and another step on our long journey. In any case, I need to get a bit more practice in on the bevvy-consuming game. I've a funny feeling that it could be quite a busy month come March....

PS - Just in case anyone was offended by my joke earlier, I think it only right that I should point out that my very own Mrs Commander was, in fact, chatted up a number of years ago by a certain Mr Raeside who, coincidentally, happened to be in Jackie O's the same night as her and some of her pals.... She tells me that he was a perfect gentleman who, had it not been for the lure of more vodka, might have gotten more than the rubber-ear that she did deliver....

Right then, we'll away and have wur fight. See you all again next Saturday. C'mon the Fife!

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