Arbroath Vics 1  Lochee Harp 1  08/03/14

Arbroath Vics were at home for the first time since a 2-0 win over Brechin Vics in early February, when they played host to Lochee Harp in the league on Saturday.

Manager Jake Ferrier made changes to the side that lost 3-0 away to Kennoway Star Hearts the previous week, two of which were enforced.  Goalkeeper Lee Hutcheson concussed the previous week was forced to sit out, while a broken nose sustained at work sidelined Garry Warren.  Jack Whitton took over in goal, while there were recalls to the starting 11 for Kevin Durno, Steve Florence and Craig Watson.

Lochee Harp were without suspended pair Brad Millar and Stephen Williamson.

Vics won the toss and elected to play against the strong, swirling wind, which was blowing down the pitch towards the St Vigeans end of the ground.

Despite facing the elements, Vics made a lively start when Craig Stephen sent Abdourahman Njie down the right and his cross ended with Ross Kenny and Andy Cowan both having shots blocked before the ball ran through to goalkeeper Darren Brown.

Three minutes in and Craig Stephen and Abdourahman Njie again combined down the right before the latter pulled the ball back for Craig Watson, but his shot was deflected and broke back off the striker and ran behind for a goal-kick.

Vics tendency to lose early goals came back to haunt them again in the sixth minute.  Harp broke from a Vics attack with Sam McDonald sending DOMINIC BLAIR through on goal and the number 11 drilled a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

Harp came close to increasing their lead in the 10th minute when Jonathan McBride picked up a Craig Paterson throw-in midway inside Vics half before sending a wind assisted drive beyond the reach of Jack Whitton, but his curling effort crashed back off the post.

At the other end, Mark Fotheringham released Abdourahman Njie and his cut-back from the right by-line was met by Andy Cowan, but he dragged his first-time shot round the post.

The away side had a further chance to increase their lead in the 18th minute when Dominic Blair was pushed over just outside the “D” but Jonathan McBride failed to test Jack Whitton by sending the resultant free-kick well wide of the target.

Andy Cowan had a chance to pull Vics level a couple of minutes later when he was played in on goal by Ross Kenny, but he lashed a shot high over the bar from just outside the box.

A minute later, Craig Watson was allowed to run through from a suspiciously offside looking position, but he failed to take advantage by shooting wide of the post.

In the 30th minute, a poor clearance from Jack Whitton, following a Kevin Durno pass-back saw him send the ball only as far as Sam McDonald.  The striker picked out Dominic Blair inside the box, but Steve Florence managed to avert the danger by blocking his shot on the penalty spot.

Craig Watson found himself in the referee’s book soon after when he used his hands to try and turn a Craig Sturrock corner into the net as the ball sailed over his head.

Another Craig Sturrock corner in the 40th minute saw Craig Watson come charging in to get his head to the cross but his header flashed wide of the post.

On the stroke of half-time, however, Vics got back on level terms.  Craig Sturrock was impeded midway inside the Harp half and when Craig Stephen delivered the free-kick into the box, the ball broke from a cluster of players, and CRAIG WATSON reacted quickest, wheeling round to slam a shot beyond Darren Brown.

Half-time: Arbroath Vics 1 Lochee Harp 1

Vics very nearly edged in front within a minute of the re-start when Craig Sturrock chipped a pass over the Harp defence into the box, and Craig Watson arrived at the back post, but could only divert it wide with his outstretched leg.

Harp were far from out of it however and Greg Anderson sent a header just wide of the far post after Jonathan McBride had picked him out with a cross.

Paul Allan then sent a free-kick from distance into the box, which Jack Whitton spilled, but Vics eventually cleared the danger before anyone in a yellow jersey could capitalise.

Ross Kenny tried his luck with a low 25-yard shot as Vics responded, but again it was wide of the mark.

Craig Watson then passed up a good opportunity for Vics when, following a good passage of play, Craig Sturrock swung a cross towards the near post, but the striker headed wide when he would at least have been expecting to get it on target.

A minute later, Ross Kenny almost made the breakthrough when he fired in a free-kick after Abdourahman Njie was fouled just outside the box, but Darren Brown was equal to the task, diving across his line to push the ball away.

Midway through the half, Harp made a change sending on Kieran Dack for Michael Gormley.

Five minutes later, Mark Fotheringham was yellow carded for a foul on Jonathan McBride, before Vics made a triple substitution, withdrawing Matty Johnston, Andy Cowan and Craig Watson and replacing them with Grant Mowatt, Colin Lawson and Chris Simpson.

Despite that, it was Harp who carved out the next chance when Sam McDonald sent Dominic racing in on goal, but Jack Whitton did well to block his initial shot before turning the rebound behind for a corner.

With 10 minutes left, Harp made their second change of the afternoon when Jonathan McBride made way for Steven Fotheringham.

In the 87th minute, Grant Mowatt passed up Vics last chance to grab the points when a long ball out of defence from Kevin Durno released him, but he dragged his shot across the face of goal and wide of the far post.

Harp came closer to snatching the win in the final minute when Sam McDonald broke through Vics defence and it required a good save from Jack Whitton, diving low to his right to push his shot onto the post and behind for a corner.  The danger still wasn’t over as from the flag-kick, Ryan McKillen nodded down Kieran Dack’s cross into the box and Sam McDonald got in a shot, which Craig Stephen cleared off the line to ensure the match ended all square.

It was a disappointing showing from Vics, who might have been expected to take the three points, but even with the wind in the second-half, they rarely worked Darren Brown in the away goal, and but for a fine save and a goal-line clearance in the final minute, it might have been Harp who headed home with a win.

Teams:

Arbroath Vics: 1 Jack Whitton  2 Craig Stephen  3 Craig Sturrock  4 Andy Cowan (sub 16 Colin Lawson 70 mins)  5 Kevin Durno  6 Steve Florence  7 Matty Johnston (sub 15 Grant Mowatt 70 mins)  8 Mark Fotheringham  9 Craig Watson (sub 14 Chris Simpson 70 mins)  10 Abdourahman Njie  11 Ross Kenny.  Unused subs: 12 Jake McWalter  17 Kane Hester.

Lochee Harp: 1 Darren Brown  2 Alan McKay  3 Craig Paterson  4 Greg Anderson  5 Paul Allan  6 Frankie Mullen  7 Ryan McKillen  8 Michael Gormley (sub 14 Kieran Dack 65 mins)  9 Sam McDonald  10 Jonathan McBride (sub 12 Steven Fotheringham 80 mins)  11 Dominic Blair.  Unused sub: 15 Jonathan White.

Referee: Mr. R. Milne (Monifieth).

Yellow cards: Vics: Craig Watson, Mark Fotheringham.  Harp: None.  Red cards: None.

Vics are on their travels again this Saturday when they travel to Foxhall Park to meet Coupar Angus in the league.  Kick-off is at 2.30 p.m. and transport leaves Ogilvy Park at 12.30 p.m.