The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Lichties hero Linn the scourge of Loons again
ANGUS DERBY: Tough blow for the Loons who refused to bow to rivals
Arbroath came out top in a hard-fought Angus derby that saw Forfar boss Jim Weir admit he wouldn’t now bet against his rivals winning the league title.
A Bobby Linn hat-trick put paid to Forfar’s hopes of salvaging something from the game after they twice pegged the Gayfield men back.
However, though Weir insisted the Red Lichties were fortunate to take all three points, he admitted it was hard to see them not going all the way this season.
He said: “It is a hard one to take. The difference between the two teams was a couple of bits of magic from Bobby Linn. But it was really poor defensively for me. You have to give Bobby credit, he produced the goals to give Arbroath the win I don’t think they deserved.
“But they are at the top of the league, they know how to win games and control games. I wouldn’t bet against them winning the league now.
“We were care less like we have been too many times this season and made mistakes and they don’t make those same mistakes.
“To lose that game was a hammer blow and it leaves a sour taste.”
Lichties assistant manager Ian Campbell was having none of any talk about a championship-winning season.
He refused to get carried away, despite Raith Rovers losing and the gap at the top of the table extending to 13 points.
“That’s something I won’t comment on,” Campbell said.
“There are good teams in this league that will get better and better. You have got to stand up to them.”
The visitors made a quick breakthrough when L inn put Arbroath ahead after seven minutes, latching onto a long ball before cutting in and slotting home.
The first half was 45 minutes of very few chances, but Dale Hilson fired over from distance for Forfar before Arbroath’s Doris had an overhead kick blocked by Bain. Weir’s side equalised in the 58th minute after Dale Hilson set up Lewis Moore to fire past Jamieson.
Two minutes later the visitors were ahead again as Linn added his second.
Forfar should have had a penalty on the hour mark when Jamie Bain was fouled inside the box but referee Euan Anderson waved claims away.
The scores were level again after 72 minutes when John Baird sent a longrange effort past Jamieson.
Dylan Easton rattled the post while sub Connor Coupe found the net but his goal was ruled out for offside.
With eight minutes remaining, Michael Travis was sent off for his second booking and, from the free-kick, Linn completed his second hat-trick against Forfar this season. The Lichties were also reduced to 10 men as Thomas O’Brien received his second booking.