Let’s get physical: Rovers can’t out-muscle Lichties
RAITH ROVERS 0 Arbroath boss Dick Campbell believes his Raith counterpart, John Mcglynn, would be happy with a point after this top of the table clash ended in a stalemate which preserves each side’s unbeaten records.
The Kirkcaldy side has now gone 14 games without defeat while the Lichties extended their sequence to eight.
Campbell said: “Raith paid us the biggest compliment by playing five at the back and three centre halves. They looked for a draw and they got a draw.
“They managed the game the way they wanted, but I thought we should have won.
“We were well on top in the first half and we had the best chances. We kept another clean sheet, which is important. But the Arbroath supporters didn’t have a lot to shout about, they’ll be disappointed. Over the piece though, I’m happy. It was two even teams.”
Although Arbroath sit just three points off the top of the table, Campbell is still keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
He added: “I reckon we need another 12 points to be safe, then we can start enjoying ourselves.
Arbroath came out of traps with all guns blazing and Joel Nouble came close with a scorching effort after four minutes which Kyle Benedictus deflected over the bar.
Ricky Little then fired inches wide after Nouble again caused confusion in the Raith defence.
The Lichties kept up a fierce pace, with the battle between Nouble and Christophe Berra offering a fascinating side show.
There were a few full-blooded challenges but there was never anything vindictive although referee Craig Napier managed to issue three yellow cards within a three-minute spell towards the end of the first half, Arbroath’s Little and Stewart being joined in the book by Raith’s Lang.
The Lichties were dealt a blow just before the interval when Little had to be replaced by David Gold after sustaining concussion following a challenge with Berra.
The second period was scrappy, neither side carving out much in the way of clear-cut chances until the very end when Arbroath sub Bobby Linn twice broke clear but on each occasion failed to get any power on his shot.
Raith boss John Mcglynn was reasonably satisfied with the outcome.
He said: “We purposely started with a big, strong back five to match the physicality of Arbroath.
“We got the clean sheet without being under too much pressure, but we didn’t test Gaston very much at the other end either. It’s a difficult place to come to and we had a long trip to Inverness on Tuesday night, which is maybe why we didn’t start so well.
“It didn’t work in the first half which is why we had to change it and we did better in the second half. We didn’t create a lot but we stopped the threat from Arbroath.
“It’s not a bad point. Arbroath are doing so well, they are making a mockery of being a part-time side. If you don’t match their physicality you get beat. We came for three points but if you can’t get three make sure you get one, and that’s what we’ve done.”