Image – Raith Rovers F.C
An injury-stricken Raith Rovers squad left Gayfield Park on Saturday with a point after a goalless draw against Arbroath.
Some last-ditch defending from both teams prevented any shots on goal in the first half, and, whilst things livened up after the break, no goal came before the fulltime whistle.
Paul Hanlon made one change in his second-ever match as player-manager, with Callum Smith getting his first start of the season after replacing an injured Shaun Byrne. Byrne joined Ross Matthews, Callum Fordyce, Richard Chin, and Lewis Vaughan on the injury list, which left Hanlon with just a six-man bench to utilise.
Arbroath’s own player/management team of Colin Hamilton and David Gold made no changes after a 1-1 draw away to Ayr a week earlier. Scott Stewart and Aaron Muirhead both missed out through injury, which gave the hosts eight players to choose from on the bench.
Arbroath got things underway and looked the stronger side in the opening minutes. As well as leading the team from a managerial position, Paul Hanlon found himself in the thick of things at the back, with some crucial defensive interventions from himself preventing Arbroath from getting any shots on goal.
Raith grew into the match, and probably had the best chance of the first half after the ball fell to Jack Hamilton on the edge of Arbroath’s six-yard box in the 41st minute. However, Hamilton’s shot was blocked from close range after the ball got stuck at his feet, which left Arbroath to clear after a slight scramble in the area.
The Rovers looked a more positive side after halftime, but every move broke down at the final ball after some good all-round defending from Arbroath.
Dylan Easton had a chance to add yet another impressive goal to his Rovers’ portfolio in the 54th minute, with the ball falling to his feet after a miss-hit clearance. His attempted lob from the edge of the box wasn’t caught right, though, drifting harmlessly out for a goal kick.
The Lichties almost found the net in the 78th minute after in-form Aberdeen loanee, Findlay Marshall, got a shot away from eight yards out. The Rovers’ defence stood in his way, but a double-deflection very nearly took the ball past Josh Rae, who managed to save with his foot after reacting to the original effort.
Callum Smith was substituted in the 63rd minute for Paul McMullan, whilst Jack Hamilton was swapped for Rangers loanee Josh Gentles in the 79th. However, it would be Arbroath who would come closest amidst Raith’s attacking changes, with substitute striker, Taylor Steven, letting fly from 25 yards out. His effort was dipping into the bottom right corner, but Josh Rae did well to get down and palm away.
Things ended all square come the fulltime whistle, with both sets of supporters reacting with little emotion upon the match’s conclusion.
Whilst either side could have won it, some squandered chances, coupled with consistent defending, stopped the ball hitting the back of the net on this occasion. A point away from home against 3rd placed Arbroath could prove valuable for Raith in their bid to rise from a run of defeats in recent weeks, who currently occupy sixth place.
