The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Calmness all round as Lichties soar on
They are unbeaten in the league this year and already a staggering 10 points clear of second-placed Raith Rovers.
It may only be November but it is already looking like Arbroath could be solid bets to win the League 1 title for the first time in their 140-year history.
Not that anyone at Gayfield will entertain such a thought yet. All talk of a title success is 100% off the table for the foreseeable future.
Arbroath assistant Ian Campbell likened his side’s progress to a golfer hitting the top of a leaderboard after a birdie on his first hole.
One bad hole – or run of poor results – would see the leader plummet down the rankings.
Keeper Darren Jamieson is no different, pointing out that Raith will be right back in it if Arbroath hit the skids.
“We need to keep looking after ourselves,” said Jamieson.
“We can’t look or think about Raith or other teams below us.
“It’s great to have a 10-point gap but it doesn’t mean anything at this stage of the season.
“We’ve seen teams with substantial leads before who have failed to win the league.
“It’s happened to some big teams where they have been far in front and collapsed. We have to be mindful of that.
“Ten points can turn around in three games. All it takes is us to lose three in a row and Raith to win three and they are right back in things.
“That’s how quickly it can all turn.
“That’s why we have to focus on getting our job done every week and not beyond that.”
Jamieson had very little to do in a scrappy Angus derby.
Montrose dominated possession during the second half but could not make it count as Arbroath were, once again, clinical in front of goal.
Danny Denholm’s sweetly struck 15-yard opener gave his side a first half lead before Montrose pressed – in vain – for a leveller.
With Montrose flooding men forward they were caught out late on as a poor Sean Dillon header set up Michael McKenna for a clear shot on goal.
McKenna’s effort was parried by Montrose keeper Jordan Millar straight into the path of Steven Doris who prodded home the second.
Montrose defender Dillon said: “I’m disappointed with myself for the second goal.
“I had a few options to clear it and I chose the wrong one.
“We were punished for it but that’s what a team like Arbroath will do to you – they are a very good side.
“We didn’t let our heads drop. We can play better but we didn’t ever give up and we have to take heart from that and move on.
“Arbroath are clear at the top but it’s still a very close league. We were bottom two weeks ago and jumped to sixth with one win.
“We are now back to ninth place with one loss.
“Normally by now the league has settled but every team is capable of beating the others and I’m confident, if we can get our act together, that we’ll be OK.”