[Mel Hutchwright]

With about twenty minutes to go in this fairly poor match I, and I'd imagine a fair few others, was increasingly convinced that this would end up goalless, so the final score was more than a little pleasing.

There had been precious few chances of note for either side prior to Watson opening the scoring, but once we got our noses in front we sprang to life and could possibly have scored even more in the final 10 minutes. Our third, scored by Scott, was an absolutely fantastic finish after a fine build up. I was never his biggest fan last season, as I thought he only convinced in fits and starts, but he really does now look like the striker we hoped he was going to be. He's a great player to bring on from the bench, but again we looked a bit toothless up front before his introduction.

As I say, apart from that last 10 minutes or so it was a bit uninspiring but we've certainly looked better organised over the last 3 games, which hope fully bodes well for the rest of the season. We've got to maintain some consistancy though, hopefully starting next week at Shire.

[Ancient Warrior]

Without the help of the referee and his far side assistant I would imagine as Mel said this had 0 - 0 written all over it. Everybody in the ground saw the ball go out of play at least 2 yards infield and they contrived to give a corner from which Arboath scored. After that there was only going to be one result.

[farflung lichtie]

Well I thought Arbroath had more of the game, almost controlling it for spells but wasteful with a succession of chances created. But it was an uninspiring game and Stenny seemed poor, creating very little threat though better second half.

It was heading for a goalless draw so it was nice to break the deadlock and then the bonus of two more in quick succession. Our first two came from corners but the third was a lovely flowing move. Exactly one year ago we nicked a last minute 1-2 win at Ochilview.

At least we're still in the running for that final play-off spot, but nobody else is really out of it either

[Sam68+1]

[SimonLichtie]

Ancient Warrior, on Feb 2 2008, 18:55, said:

Without the help of the referee and his far side assistant I would imagine as Mel said this had 0 - 0 written all over it. Everybody in the ground saw the ball go out of play at least 2 yards infield and they contrived to give a corner from which Arboath scored. After that there was only going to be one result.

Indeed, that was a rather ridiculous decision!

Thought if a team deserved to win it, it was us. A draw would have been fairer based on the first 75 minutes, but we then stepped it up abit after Bryan got going and put pressure on the Stenny defence which simply collapsed. Should have been 4 at the end if Bryan had finished that 1 on 1.

Happy days, and hopefully the start of a wee run for us

[Lichtielegend]

Our defence was pretty solid again although we were a bit panicky with clearances and most of our problems were caused by ourselves. Aside from one good block in the first half, Hill had nowt to do.

We're still not committing enough players forward when we attack though and we now need to get Scott playing more minutes as Tosh and Brazil were ineffective together today although hopefully the goal will spark a run for the latter.

[Nameed]

"There had been precious few chances of note for either side prior to Watson opening the scoring, but once we got our noses in front we sprang to life and could possibly have scored even more in the final 10 minutes. Our third, scored by Scott, was an absolutely fantastic finish after a fine build up. I was never his biggest fan last season, as I thought he only convinced in fits and starts, but he really does now look like the striker we hoped he was going to be. He's a great player to bring on from the bench, but again we looked a bit toothless up front before his introduction."

Mel - As an outsider I just wonder how on earth Bryan Scott has scored 12 goals from his limited starts for you yet you lot dont seem to reckon hed last 90 minutes - is he the new super sub? or do you think his job interferes with his football career? that being the case do you think hed be capable of going full time ? Im led to believe he has good upper strength, good pace but his finishing is 40%? is this fair - if so we the dee will swap you Bryan Deasley for him - what ya say ? is he out of contract soon? I remember some contact being made with dundee fc last year yet still he scores and nobody makes a move - is he a daftie per chance? but the biggest hint was a text to through the window bbc, when somebody said he was goign to dundee united - surely no that good ?

loads of questions but any answers m8

cheers
Nameed

[Lichtielegend]

Nameed, on Feb 2 2008, 23:59, said:

Mel - As an outsider I just wonder how on earth Bryan Scott has scored 12 goals from his limited starts for you yet you lot dont seem to reckon hed last 90 minutes - is he the new super sub? or do you think his job interferes with his football career? that being the case do you think hed be capable of going full time ? Im led to believe he has good upper strength, good pace but his finishing is 40%? is this fair - if so we the dee will swap you Bryan Deasley for him - what ya say ? is he out of contract soon? I remember some contact being made with dundee fc last year yet still he scores and nobody makes a move - is he a daftie per chance? but the biggest hint was a text to through the window bbc, when somebody said he was goign to dundee united - surely no that good ?

loads of questions but any answers m8

cheers
Nameed

I'll answer some of these too.

I believe Bryan has had a niggly injury in recent weeks which has restricted his time on the pitch. Maybe a couple of weeks rest would do the trick but he's simply too important to the side to leave out (and even at 60% he's our most dangerous striker) as 12 goals from 15 starts (and 4 sub appearances) is a superb return.

As a player, he does have good strength and pace, but he could improve on his technique. His finishing is inconsistent and was summed up in todays match. Takes his goal brilliantly then messes up a 1-on-1.

I've heard we're in with a chance of getting Deasley on emergency loan for the run-in, and it'll be interesting to see them paired if it happens. I'd rather we never got rid of him though, as it's taken us ages to find a guy capable of consistent goals.

I reckon he could potentially do well at a full-time club. In our game against ICT in the league cup, despite a lack of decent service and support, he caused a lot of problems to their back-line. A one off game, but full-time training could build up the consistency to play to that level regularly.

[Nameed]

cheers Lichtielegend, being a full time club I cant imagine his tiredness would be a problem - I heard he works abroad in new york shop fitting so he must be on good money just wondering if DFC at this time could provide a feasible wage for his talents? I think this boy could be worth a chance if we could provide suitable youth loanings perhaps in exchange perhaps - simialr to Brian Clarks loan ?

This post has been edited by Nameed: 02 February 2008 - 23:56

[dubs]

I just looked at our team today and realised - 'shit, we're stuck with this mob til the end of the season'

Deflated, this result has been coming and we deserved nothing out of the game but the manner in which we surrendered it was heartbreaking.

[Angusfifer]

Where's Fabby Fabulousgrais these days?
Two and a half years of the vagaries of lower league division fitba too much for him?

[Mel Hutchwright]

Lichtielegend pretty much said all that needed to be said about Scott there, but one other thing I'd add is that, along with the fact that he does seem injury prone, he also misses a fair few games through suspension due to him having a bit of a petulant streak.

I honestly don't know if he is ready to cut it at a club like Dundee yet as, for all that he's improved this season and found a bit of consistency, whether he'd be able to maintain the standard required at that level with any regularity is another matter.

He should certainly be starting games for us now though.

[dubs]

miss shire 2006, on Feb 3 2008, 02:26, said:

Maybe the team saw you and thought 'shit we're stuck with that lanky streak of piss til the end of the season' lets just let in 3 goals!

Stop calling me Dubya

Who are you?

[dubs]

[xbl]

Well, justy back from the match, and Im happy with things!

As others have said, it had 0-0 written all over it, but rather than the corner, I would say us playing ourt get out of jail card was the key. That was SO a penaltiy! I mean honestly, I was standing by the pie shop, and I could see it was a handball, Im so relieved the ref neever gave it. Its karma for the penalty that never was earlier in the season.

After that penalty, we just surged forwards. I thought we had the best of the play throughout the match, but neither keeper was really troubled to be honest. We had all the play without actually penetrating the stenny defence. But what a smmash and grab! 3 goals grabbed in a few minutes, and I believe hell froze over.

Paul Watson actually got applauded off by my fellow AFC fans, rather than being boo'ed and slagged! Well done Artbroath fans, Im proud of you all. Why the bloody hell was the terracing not open? We filled that stand completely full, I (and others) spent the second half by the pie shop because at least we could stand and move to try and ward off frostbite. Very happy with the team, we were totally solid in defence, and got 3 goal!

[beaver1]

The ref gave a foul for a push in the back before Raeside handled. Maybe the only decision he got right all afternoon.

As for the corner that never was. Words fail me.

Defences on top summed that game up. Well for 80 minutes at least. Boy did we miss Steve Ferguson.

[JimLichtie]

xb@sslichtie, on Feb 3 2008, 02:35, said:

Well, just back from the match,

Did you get lost on the way home?

[xbl]

beaver1, on Feb 3 2008, 09:02, said:

The ref gave a foul for a push in the back before Raeside handled. Maybe the only decision he got right all afternoon.

Is that regarding the penalty decision? Obviously, I was miles away, but I was sure it should have been a penalty...I actually thought the ref had an alright game, but then, I would say that!

[sconesjfc]

Nameed, on Feb 2 2008, 23:48, said:

cheers Lichtielegend, being a full time club I cant imagine his tiredness would be a problem - I heard he works abroad in new york shop fitting so he must be on good money just wondering if DFC at this time could provide a feasible wage for his talents? I think this boy could be worth a chance if we could provide suitable youth loanings perhaps in exchange perhaps - simialr to Brian Clarks loan ?

Scotty works in Scumdee as a shop fitter/joiner...Tiredness? have you lt ever seen him play, he gives 110% every game

[dubs]

xb@sslichtie, on Feb 3 2008, 12:33, said:

Is that regarding the penalty decision? Obviously, I was miles away, but I was sure it should have been a penalty...I actually thought the ref had an alright game, but then, I would say that!

Nah he gave a foul which would render any handball irrelevant.

Other than that I felt the referee was awful, but then again when do you get a good ref in this league? We were lost without Stevie Ferguson and I think this could be the start of a bad run for us.

[Neilly]

The referee cost us the game.

Losing Ferguson is a massive blow for us as it reshaped the formation and we just didn't create anything. Arbroath are no better than us which is the annoying thing.

[the_russian]

Neilly, on Feb 3 2008, 18:38, said:

The referee cost us the game.

Losing Ferguson is a massive blow for us as it reshaped the formation and we just didn't create anything. Arbroath are no better than us which is the annoying thing.

How long is the fake Steve Ferguson out for? Is he injured?