The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Lichties eye Raith win and seven-point lead
ARBROATH 3 AIRDRIEONIANS 1
Arbroath go into next weekend’s Stark’s Park showdown with second-placed Raith Rovers knowing that a win will open up a significant seven-point gap.
Defeat, however, will open the door again for Rovers and haul them to within a point of an Arbroath side who haven’t lost in the league since the end of April.
However, while acknowledging the implications of the table-topping clash are huge, Red Lichties defender Colin Hamilton is playing it cool over his side’s championship charge.
“We’ve got a massive game next week against Raith,” said Hamilton. “They have a new manager and will be all out to impress.
“But we don’t feel the pressure. The pressure isn’t on us.
“Raith are probably not feeling the pressure either. It’s very early in the season and both teams are aiming to get better.
“We’ve started really well and because our morale is high it’s easier to play so well. We have a great team spirit, a great bond and that’s a big help to us.”
Hamilton headed in his side’s second goal from a Bobby Linn corner.
Before that Gavin Swankie had raced on to a Danny Denholm through ball to flick beyond former Arbroath keeper David Hutton and cancel out Joao Victoria’s opener.
With Airdrieonians struggling to cope with the gale-hit Gayfield conditions, Wallace fired in a rebound after Denholm’s 30-yard strike crashed off the crossbar.
It was a comfortable win in the end for Arbroath and they are already looking a solid bet to stay on top come the end of the season – not that anyone at Gayfield will admit that.
Red Lichties number two Ian Campbell said: “It’s a big game next week but no bigger than this one. It still only gives us three points.
“It doesn’t tell us how far we’ve come. We know what we are capable of and we’re delighted with how our players are doing right now.
“But it’s wrong to say this game is pivotal. There’s a long way to go in the season. We’re aiming to get better and I’m sure Raith are exactly the same.”