Draw is a blow for Campbell
ARBROATH 0 INVERNESS CT 0
Last season the six fixtures between Arbroath and Inverness Caledonian Thistle proved that there is very little between these two sides, and this season it seems like things haven’t changed.
It was the clichéd game of two halves, and even in early August a strong, sweeping gale blew through Gayfield from the North Sea.
Manager Dick Campbell said: “No doubt we did enough to win the game. I don’t think my goalkeeper has had a save to make, particularly in the second half it was just constant waves of (Arbroath) attack.” He added: “That wee bit of quality in front of goal let us down a bit.”
His opposite number, Billy Dodds, admitted: “I thought the wind spoiled it. I felt the pitch was rock hard and I feel sorry for the Arbroath fans and the Inverness fans who have travelled, the staff and the players who tried to play out there, because in these conditions it’s just really tough.”
Arbroath were without defenders Thomas O’Brien and Jason Thomson missed out so midfielder David Gold and Aberdeen loanee Mason Hancock played at right and left back.
The visitors were also without the influential Robbie Deas due to suspension, but his teammates made a bright start with the wind at their backs and George Oakley came agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the seventh minute but Colin Hamilton managed to clear his chip shot off the line.
It wasn’t until the 44th minute when Arbroath’s first big chance arrived. Mark Ridgers denied Michael McKenna with Daniel Fosu being flagged offside as he tried chase in the rebound. Fosu, who was signed as an attacking midfielder by Arbroath was promoted to centre forward and his strength and pace was causing a nuisance. Just five minutes into the second half, Fosu looked like he was brought down in the box as he battled for the ball, but was booked for simulation.
Arbroath started to shoot from distance as the wind increased with Scott Stewart and Nicky Low both narrowly wide of the post, before substitute James Craigen and Nicky Low both hit powerful shots which Ridgers did well to get down and save.
Nathan Shaw had a half chance for the visitors in the 74th minute, but the big talking point was five minutes from time as Arbroath substitute Kieran Shanks was denied initially from close range by Ridgers. As both players went for the second ball, Ridgers tried to punch the ball clear but missed and caught Shanks square on the jaw, but no foul was given.
In the dying seconds Shanks had another run but Ridgers was there to make the save.
A point a piece as both sides are still in search of their maiden win.
PARTICK THISTLE 1
Graham (83)
HAMILTON ACCIES 1
McMillan (43 og)
Thistle came from behind to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-earned point at Firhill.
Accies led through a Jack McMillan own goal before the prolific Brian Graham levelled late on.
Jags boss Ian McCall said: “You’ve got to credit Hamilton’s work ethic and throwing their bodies in front of things.
“However, we missed two or three good chances before their goal.
“It was a bit of a freak goal – we are really disappointed that we didn’t win the game but I’m pleased with the way we played, especially in the second half. When you score late, you can at least say ‘thank God we haven’t lost’.”
The game began in slow fashion and had hallmarks of a customary early season encounter.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between in the opening half-hour, but suddenly the action sprung into life.
Partick Thistle failed to capitalise on a flurry of chances as efforts from Kyle Turner and Graham were thwarted by Ryan Fulton.
And the Jags were left to rue missed chances as Hamilton took the lead against the run of play, David Mitchell’s attempted clearance thumping off the back of McMillan before rolling into the empty net.
The home side rallied after the interval and had two penalty shouts waved away by referee Craig Napier.
Thistle continued to push bodies forward in search of an equaliser but were lacking the end product against a well-organised Accies defence.
However, the visitors’ defence was eventually unlocked five minutes before the end, as Aidan Fitzpatrick’s low-driven cross was slammed home by Graham at the front post to earn a well-deserved point for the Jags.
The hosts were spurred on by a raucous home support and almost stole all three points in the dying minutes when Scott Tiffoney’s venomous strike forced a superb save from Fulton.
Accies No 2 Brian Potter said: “We hung on a little bit.
“We maybe were a bit deep at times but I still felt that we had a lot of the ball and I felt that we had opportunities to get the ball forward.
“Losing the goal when we did was disappointing because we lost possession and then we didn’t stop the cross.”