Downfield 4 Arbroath Vics 1 12/04/2014
Arbroath Vics continued their league programme with an away match against Downfield on Saturday.
Manager Jake Ferrier made just the one enforced change to the side that beat Newburgh the previous week; Craig Stephen returning at the expense of Matty Johnston who had dislocated his shoulder against the Fife side.
With several games in hand, Downfield were still handily placed to win a promotion spot, but their hopes of winning the title depended on them winning all of their games and Dundee North End failing to win their remaining two.
The match kicked-off with Vics having the advantage of a gale force wind that was blowing straight down the park.
Craig Stephen broke from defence for Vics in the second minute and played the ball down the right to Abdourahman Njie before taking the return and sending a cross into the box, which the wind caused havoc with before it was headed behind for a corner.
Downfield showed that the wind was not going to be a hindrance to them when Patrick Brown picked up a loose ball in midfield and drove forward before firing a shot just over the bar.
Craig Watson almost gave Vics an eighth minute lead with a spectacular overhead kick, which just cleared the bar, leaving keeper Gary Thain rooted to his line.
At the other end, Gavin Hood sent the ball along the 18-yard line where Leigh Esposito came charging in to drive a shot over the top.
Ross Kenny almost took advantage of a mix-up in the Downfield defence when the ball broke into his path and his shot took a deflection and spun behind for a corner.
Soon after, it was Downfield’s turn to come close. Dale Hart chased a Patrick Brown ball to the by-line and cut it back into the middle for Scott Reynolds whose shot was blocked by the outstretched leg of Lee Hutcheson before Vics managed to scramble it behind for a corner.
Vics reprieve was only temporary as in the 19th minute Downfield took the lead. Patrick Brown played the ball up to Gavin Hood who in turn cut it back from the by-line for NIK MANN to fire beyond the reach of Lee Hutcheson.
Within a minute, Vics were almost back on level terms when the Downfield defence were unable to deal with a Craig Stephen throw-in and Craig Watson fired off a shot which crashed off the bar and flew over.
Scott Reynolds came close to grabbing a second goal for the home side when a good move up the right opened Vics up allowing him a shooting chance which the number 11 sent just wide.
In the 26th minute, Vics came close to getting back on level terms when a Garry Warren corner just eluded Kevin Durno and Craig Watson, coming in behind, got in a header, which was cleared off the line.
In the 30th minute however, Downfield extended their advantage to 2-0 when Lee Hutcheson upended Gavin Hood inside the box. David McLeish was booked for dissent before GAVIN HOOD calmly stroked in the spot-kick.
Downfield were hungry to add to their lead and the news that Luncarty were leading North End spurred them on, and they had Vics on the back foot for the remainder of the half but had to settle for a two goal margin at the break.
Half-time: Downfield 2 Arbroath Vics 0
The Spiders were quickly buzzing around Vics goal with the wind now in their favour and Terry Connell sent a shot into the side-netting in the first minute of the second half.
Vics were then awarded a free-kick in a promising position when Craig Watson was barged over by Mark Ferrie just outside the box, but David McLeish’s free-kick was blocked by the Downfield “wall”.
In the 53rd minute, Vics were back in the game thanks to an error from Downfield keeper Garry Thain. There seemed little danger when Patrick Brown played the ball back to him, but the keeper completely missed his kick and CRAIG WATSON took full advantage to knock it behind him and run the ball into the empty net.
The goal seemed to give Vics new belief and the keeper partially redeemed himself in Vics next attack when he got above Ross Kenny to pluck a Craig Stephen cross off of his head.
Three minutes later, Craig Sturrock crossed into the box and Abdourahman Njie got on the end of it to send a header spiraling under the bar, but Garry Thain was able to hold on to it.
Lee Hutcheson had to be on his toes when Craig Sturrock took out Nik Mann and Scott Reynolds thundered in a wind assisted free-kick, which the keeper did well to hold under the bar.
Downfield then made a couple of substitutions, sending on Nicky Deuchars for Gavin Hood and then Kit Bremner for Scott Reynolds.
Nik Mann was next to have a go for Downfield picking up a loose ball and driving a shot just wide of the target.
Vics then made a change in the 72nd minute when Ross Kenny was replaced by Kane Hester.
Downfield could have had the points wrapped up five minutes later when Lee Hutcheson made a great save from a close range Dale Hart shot, but he could do little to prevent Kit Bremner from hitting the rebound goalwards, where it was going in, but Nik Mann standing a yard off the line, couldn’t resist the temptation of applying the finishing touch and his intervention saw it disallowed for offside.
Further changes saw Vics send on Grant Mowatt for Abdourahman Njie, Downfield replace Nik Mann with Sean Kelly and Vics bring on Chris Simpson for Colin Lawson.
As the match reached the 89th minute, Vics looked as likely to snatch an equaliser as Downfield did of increasing their lead, but a disastrous last couple of minutes saw Vics down to 10 men and Downfield score twice.
David McLeish was sent packing for dissent as Downfield were awarded a corner, and from the flag-kick, CHRIS SIMPSON saw the ball come off his head and fly into the net for an own goal.
A minute into time added on, Downfield got another break when NICKY DEUCHARS sent a shot goalwards after his initial free-kick had been blocked and his second attempt took a wicked deflection completely wrong footing Lee Hutcheson as it ran into the net.
Both teams played much better against the gale with Vics looking to be on a hiding to nothing as Downfield turned around with a two goal lead. However it was a much different story in the second half, but despite pulling a goal back, Vics were unable to fashion out an equaliser and the two late goals for Downfield ensured they ran out winners, although the final scoreline flattered them somewhat.
The win keeps Downfield in with a chance of securing promotion, but their hopes of winning the title were dashed when Dundee North End came from behind to beat Luncarty 2-1 to win the title.
Teams:
Downfield: 1 Garry Thain 2 Patrick Brown 3 Bradley Ronan 4 Andy Ballantine 5 Mark Ferrie 6 Gavin Hood (sub 17 Nicky Deuchars 62 mins) 7 Dale Hart 8 Leigh Esposito 9 Nik Mann (sub 12 Sean Kelly 80 mins) 14 Terry Connell 11 Scott Reynolds (sub 16 Kit Bremner 65 mins). Unused subs: 15 Neil Steward 20 Jamie Kelly.
Arbroath Vics: 1 Lee Hutcheson 2 Colin Lawson (sub 12 Chris Simpson 82 mins) 3 Craig Sturrock 4 Craig Stephen 5 Kevin Durno 6 Andy Cowan 7 Ross Kenny (sub 15 Kane Hester 72 mins) 8 Abdourahman Njie (sub 14 Grant Mowatt 78 mins) 9 Craig Watson 10 David McLeish 11 Garry Warren.
Referee: Mr. M. McIlvenny (Dundee).
Yellow cards: Downfield: None. Vics: David McLeish. Red cards: Downfield: None. Vics: David McLeish.
