Blown Away

Arbroath came off the foot of the table at the weekend after beating Morton, something Inverness had failed to do one week ago. Inverness were starting to flirt with the wrong end of the table after the Morton result. A windy encounter saw Jack Hamilton gave the hosts the lead right on the interval, punishing some weak defending to slot home. Just after the break Shane Sutherland headed Inverness level.

This game was carried forward from 2nd January when a frozen pitch saw the game called off.

John Robertson had to make some defensive alterations with Robbie Deas and Daniel Devine missing. In came Brad Mckay and striker come centre half Nikolay Todorov. Miles Storey returned to action up front with Doran, MacGregor, Allardice and Carson on the bench.

Dick Campbell handed Jack Hamilton his home debut with bin man Linn the wide provider. Plenty experience on the bench as well with Gavin Swankie and Kris Doolan.

A very windy but dry Gayfield met the sides as the game kicked off with Alan Newlands the man in charge.

First big chance of the game fell to Jack Hamilton but he mishit a Bobby Linn cross from six yards when it looked easier to score.

The strength of the wind was evident when big Mark Ridgers struggled to get the ball thirty yards up the park from a goal kick before the wind halted the ball. Gaston on the other hand had no problem getting the ball to land in Ridgers' box. Aye, we all knew the weather would be a problem, let's see who masters it best.

A strong burst on the deck down the left was the best we mustered after fifteen minutes but Storey's cross went behind.

The pace of the game was dictated by the conditions and a midfield battle ensued with some untidy tackles ending in numerous free kicks. one such incident saw Keatings replaced by Scott Allardice after 25 minutes.

Ridgers had to grab a corner kick from right under the bar as Arbroath got two corners in succession, the second one swirling into the box dangerously, a third soon followed as Linn curled a ball across the box that evaded everyone.

Similar to Hamilton's early miss, Storey swung a ball into the box and Daniel Mackay couldn't get enough contact under challenge and the chance evaporated.

A slack clearance in our box offered a glimmer of a chance to the Smokies five minutes before the break, but the loose ball was eventually cleared.

Most Inverness bursts forward were going through Storey but the final ball is not forthcoming.

Just on the interval, Arbroath opened the scoring through Jack Hamilton. He held off a weak challenge on the edge of the box before cutting a low ball back across Ridgers and into the back of the net.

The jovial commentators enjoyed that as they headed for half a coo and bread as the interval came along

Half Time 1-0

Half cow scoffed and there were no changes at the break, but the visitors squared the game within three minutes when Shane Sutherland headed a Cameron Harper cross in from close range.

Good pressure from the Caley Jags kept Arbroath hemmed in and ended with Allardice rifling a shot across the keeper and just wide of the far post.

Sutherland found himself without a marker at the far post from a Harper free kick, but unfortunately he fluffed his lines and the ball trundled into the keepers hands.

Hamilton missed a sitter from six yards when he headed a tempting cross well over the bar.

At the other end a Sutherland shot was charged down then another effort was put behind by Gaston, the corner wasted.

Allardice's tenacity saw the home defence make a couple of blocks as we looked to get our noses in front with about ten minutes left and Cammy Harper forced Gaston into a routine save.

Kris Doolan does like a goal against Inverness and he almost snatched the win but his shot bounced back off the base of the post with Ridgers beaten. Let off for the visitors.

A couple of late corners came and went for Inverness but to no avail and a share of the points it was.

Full Time 1-1

A draw about right but Arbroath will rue missing the better chances. I suppose a point in these conditions is fair enough for the endeavour on the park and hopefully everyone avoided hypothermia.

Highlights can be seen at ArbroathFCTV

Robbo talking post match

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