The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Linn steps up to ease battling Lichties to vital Gayfield victory
CHAMPIONSHIP: Stunning free-kick downs Morton as Arbroath finish first quarter of season with 11 points
ARBROATH 1 MORTON 0
A classic Bobby Linn 25-yard blockbuster earned Arbroath all three points against Morton at Gayfield on Saturday, the result lifting the Lichties into a mid-table position at the end of the first quarter of the Championship season.
But with just four points separating Queen of the South in fourth position from Partick Thistle at the bottom, Linn knows he and his team-mates will have to scrap for everything they can get in the months ahead to stay in the safety zone.
The win was vital following three league defeats and a setback against League One Clyde in the Challenge Cup over the previous four games.
Linn said: “This was a big win for us. We’ve had some tough games recently and we needed to come out and fight for everything.
“There wasn’t much quality in the game, it was very scrappy, but thankfully we got the win.
“To have 11 points at this stage is an excellent start but there’s still a long way to go.
“There’s a good honest bunch here and we will give it a good go.”
The game seemed destined to end in a goalless stalemate until the 75th minute when new Lichties captain Tom O’brien was tripped by Cameron Blues 25 yards from goal. Linn immediately stepped up and confidently blasted the resultant free-kick high into the far corner of Sam Ramsbottom’s net.
Arbroath manger Dick Campbell was delighted with the result and relieved he delayed removing Linn from the action.
He said: “I thought Morton had the better chances in the game but it took a spectacular piece of skill from Bobby Linn to win it.
“I don’t know how many times he has done that – and not only for Arbroath – but I’m just glad he was in my team today.
“I was actually just thinking about taking him off because it was one of those games where we were having to dig in and maybe settle for a point.
“We managed the game better than we have done for weeks.
“Football isn’t rocket science. If you don’t lose goals you don’t lose matches.
“I don’t think my keeper has had a save to make.”
Campbell is satisfied with the way the opening stage of the season has gone and feels his side have nothing to fear from anyone.
He said: “We’ve finished the first quarter with 11 points, which is very acceptable for us.
“If we do that four times we would be very comfortable, but we’ll not get carried away.
“I’d sum it up by saying we wouldn’t worry about playing anybody.
“We are coming into bad weather and heavy grounds and that’s probably better for full-time sides, but I don’t think there’s a coat of paint between the teams in the league.”