Skelly wonder strike seals victory for Lichties

Dick Campbell was pleased to see his Arbroath side topple League Two leaders Elgin, thanks to Josh Skelly’s late wonder strike.

The Dundee loan teenager lobbed home from 30 yards on 86 minutes for the only goal of the game against an Elgin side who are notoriously hard to beat at home.

Campbell said: “I’m delighted with no goals against to come up here and win. There’s not many teams will do that this season.

“We totally and utterly deserved to win that game. We had something like 76% of possession in the second half.

“Elgin have started well with two wins so it was a great win.”

On 19-year-old Skelly’s goal, to repeat his counter at Borough Briggs last season, Arbroath’s boss added: “What a magnificent goal it was, a great goal worthy of winning any game.”

He revealed strong words during the interval were needed to spur his team on for their success.

“I was not happy and I made a couple of changes at half time. I changed the shape and brought on two wide players.

“Their boy (Shane) Sutherland was causing us all sorts of problems in the first half but he didn’t in the second. That’s what I’m paid to do.”

A volley from Arbroath defender Colin Hamilton skimmed past the post after five minutes while former Lichties midfielder Keiran Stewart nodded over from a Daniel Moore corner when perhaps he should have done better.

Campbell brought on Omar Kader and Steven Doris for Gary Phillips and Kane Hester after the break – and it paid dividends with David Gold, Doris and Skelly all going close.

Then Elgin sub Chris Dodd was short with a passback and the ball fell for a grateful Skelly, who fired home a superb effort from 30 yards.