Five-star Lichties set up a fantastic Friday showdown
ARBROATH 5 C. Hamilton (25), J. Hamilton (37, 59), Cameron (54, og), Craigen (90) QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 1 Roy (12)
Dick Campbell watched his emphatic Arbroath side move to within just two wins of the title – then told Kilmarnock all the pressure is piled on them.
Campbell’s Championship hopefuls moved to within a point of the Championship leaders thanks to this colossal comeback having initially fallen behind to Alistair Roy’s 12th-minute opener for relegation-bound Queen of the South.
The part-time Lichties, who are now gearing up to face Killie in Friday night’s crunch Championship clash at Rugby Park, were awesome in the way they went about clobbering sorry Queens.
And Campbell insisted afterwards they have no hint of strain on their shoulders going into Friday after this latest triumph in their fairytale season.
Campbell said: “I didn’t think it was a 5-1 game. All I was looking for was to make the game alive for Friday and it certainly is now – what a game it is going to be.
“I’m looking forward to it. I have nothing to lose whatsoever, neither have my players or my club.
“We have confirmed our second place at least in the league so let’s go to Kilmarnock and see what happens.
“It was interesting too that Raith Rovers won because that will mean they have got to win when they play Kilmarnock on the last day of the season to get into the play-offs so it’s not a needless game for them. And Jack Hamilton’s second goal was world-class. If it was in the Premier League, it would be goal of the season.”
Arbroath were being urged on by a crowd of almost 2,500 inside Gayfield but found themselves trailing as the Doonhamers surged into the lead.
A flowing move involving Ruari Paton and Calvin Mcgrory allowed Joshua Debayo to pick out Roy whose header left goalkeeper Derek Gaston helpless.
The visitors did have a chance to add to their lead midway through the first half when on-loan Kilmarnock ace Innes Cameron raced clean through from Darragh O’connor’s pass, but failed to realise he had all the time in the world and rushed his weak effort which fell right into the arms of Gaston.
And they were made to pay for that missed opportunity as Arbroath struck at the other end.
Michael Mckenna played a deft pass through to defender Colin Hamilton who lifted his head before gliding a left-foot shot high past Joshua Rae and into the top corner.
Then, on 38 minutes, striker Jack Hamilton fired the Lichties ahead with the aid of a deflection off O’connor. Arbroath needed another to kill the contest and that arrived in 54 minutes when Ricky Little’s header was turned into his own net by Cameron.
Then Jack Hamilton lit up Gayfield. His screamer from outside the box nestled in the top corner and must be a contender for Championship goal of the season.
Sub James Craigen rounded things off with a fine diving header from fellow substitute Bobby Linn’s inch-perfect cross in the final minute as all eyes now turn towards Rugby Park on Friday.