Campbell left fuming as Lichties lose again
Graham (16), Turner (79), Milne (84)
ARBROATH 0 Dick Campbell is now the longest-serving SPFL manager but that doesn’t mean the Arbroath boss is mellowing after nearly 1,500 games in the dugout.
The 68-year-old was furious that his side wasn’t awarded a free-kick in the lead-up to Partick Thistle’s second goal.
It came at a time when the Red Lichties were pressing for an equaliser.
He said: “At 1-0 the game wasn’t finished and, at that point, there was the most critical decision I’ve seen this year. Dylan Tait was put down, the referee said ‘play on’ and they then score.
“It was an absolutely appalling decision from an official. It was then 2-0 and it was over. If people don’t think that’s a foul, I’m as well sitting in the house.
“I think Ian McCall will be phoning Santa and thanking him. But we’re not kidding ourselves on – we didn’t create enough and that’s a worry for me. There’s only one manager
that can change things and that’s me. There certainly will be changes.
“I’ve not been down around the bottom very often in my career but I am now and we need to get the sleeves rolled up.”
Brian Graham’s all-important opening goal was less controversial but had a touch of good fortune about it.
A free-kick from Kyle Turner was deflected into his path, with the ball pinging off his shin and zipping into the net.
There wasn’t a lot of silky football on show and that wasn’t too surprising.
It was two teams low on confidence and players looked more concerned about avoiding mistakes rather than trying anything too stylish.
Arbroath’s Scott Allan was the one man with a bit of panache about the way he produced flicks and crosses.
They were easy on the eye but none of them led to the goal that was badly needed by the part-timers who so nearly won promotion last season.
Allan came close in the first half with a first-time effort from a Marcel Oakley cut-back that was stopped by Thistle keeper Jamie Sneddon’s legs.
The miss of the match came from the visitors’ recent signing, former Dundee United, midfielder Florent Hoti.
He was presented with a fantastic chance when a series
of passes saw him put through on goal with only the keeper to beat. Somehow he managed to clip the ball past the post when it looked easier to hit the target.
Campbell’s side showed plenty of spirit after the break but failed to conjure up a goal.
Their hope of taking something back to Gayfield vanished when Scott Tiffoney, a player badly missed by the Jags during an injury lay-off, crossed from the left and Turner scored at the back post.
Harry Milne made it three when he headed home a Turner corner. The former Cove Rangers defender then ensured his side kept a clean sheet by leaping acrobatically to head a Bobby Linn shot off the line.
Thistle manager Ian McCall was relieved to get a victory after a run of six defeats that saw him coming under increasing pressure from fans.
He said: “I think the outcome shows we had one or two players back from injury.
“It’s far nicer than it has been for me recently but I’m aware it’s only one game.
“I’ve been in charge for close to 900 games as a manager. It suggests I might know what I’m doing a wee bit.”
Despite the victory, there were chants of “Sack the board” from the stands as the row about fan ownership rolls on.
McCall added: “I don’t know the ins and outs of it, but I’d prefer everyone to be together.”