Archives | Arbroath 4 Dunfermline 2

Dunfermline scored two good goals but lost poor ones at crucial points in the match to record their third successive league defeat.

Arbroath had drawn their last two home games against Morton and Airdrieonians and Dunfermline travelled to the Angus coast hoping that they could repeat their win there in September. The Fifers made two changes Freddie Turley, making his starting debut, in for the suspended Kieran Ngwenya and Andrew Tod in for Alfons Amade.

The home side welcomed back their captain Thomas O`Brien for his first match since 23rd January. Findlay Marshall and Gavin Reilly were also in the starting line up in place of Scott Stewart who dropped to the bench while Victor Enem and Scott Robinson were absent. Even without Robinson there was a plethora of former Pars players in the Arbroath squad `“ Cochrane, Dow, Reilly, Lang, Beadling and Mebude.

Ryan Flynn got the game underway Arbroath with the visitors attacking the goal at the Pleasureland end which hosted the travelling support. The start was horrific for Dunfermline. A free kick from the Arbroath half, headed on by Ryan DOW put the home side into the lead within 80 seconds. Keeper Billy Terrell came out for the long ball towards the left corner of the penalty box but the Red Lichties no.11 got there before him. 1-0

Arbroath kept up the early pressure with Reilly feeding Dow on the right side of the Pars penalty area. A corner was forced and when Jack Wilkie centred Aaron Muirhead failed to connect at the far post. Dow drew an 11th minute free kick for a Turley challenge and Nurudeen Abdulai and Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen had crucial headers in defending the setplay.

Dunfermline found a 14th minute equaliser from a Matty Todd corner from the right. It was Andrew Tod`s penetrating pass to send Calumn Morrison down the right that earned the corner as Aidan McAdams touched over Morrison`s shot. Andrew TOD met Todd`s delivery and maybe assisted by a deflection off Muirhead, his shot hit the net. 1-1

Above: Andrew Tod celebrates his 50th appearance for Dunfermline scoring his 13th goal in the process.

Midway through the first half a Dow corner from the left set up Marshall for two blasts that were blocked and O`Brien sent the third attempt wide wide right. Todd made a superb run down the left, cutting inside beating five opponents to pick out Morrison on the right but unfortunately Cochrane put an end to the promising move. Then a free kick midway into the Arbroath half picked out Chilokoa-Mullen and his header back into the centre of the penalty box looked inviting for Tod but Arbroath cleared among shouts of handball.

In 39 minutes Terrell did well to stop a Jacob McIntyre shot and dived on the ball to deny Dow. The keeper required the physios` attention, he continued but appeared to be in pain when kicking the ball. Turley and then Cochrane saw yellow from referee Kevin Clancy. The official then dismissed legitimate claims for a penalty for a trip on Olly Thomas on the corner of the box before a fine pass from Todd looked to have sent in Tod but a bobble on the awkward pitch defeated the Pars goalscorer.

After the scoreline returned to all square the match had been played predominantly in midfield. The Pars had pushed towards the end and were dismayed when awarded a corner but half time was blown before it was allowed to be taken.

Half Time: Arbroath 1 Dunfermline 1

There was little surprise when Deniz Mehmet emerged for the second half given the `˜dead` leg injury to Billy Terrell. Unfortunately the substitute keeper could do little to stop Aaron MUIRHEAD from a Wilkie free kick launched in from the right touchline. A dangerous ball into the six yard box finding the net at the near post in just the fifth minute of the half. 2-1

The Pars did have the ball in the net after Kearney had smashed the ball at goal but the offside flag was raised against Thomas. The player on-loan from Bristol City was then subbed with Chris Kane taking over in attack. At the same point Chris Hamilton took the place of Shea Kearney with Turley moving to right back.

There followed some good play from the Pars. A Kane cross created chances for Todd and Tod that were blocked out. Fine build up play around the Arbroath box presented Tod with another good opportunity but he was kept out by McAdams. A counterattack allowed McIntyre a shot that Mehmet beat away for a corner. Sub Tom Beadling celebrated the goal but it would turn out to be the Pars keeper who had turned the ball into the Pars net from the setpiece. 3-1

Neil Lennon`s response was to withdraw Nurudeen Abdulai and Matty Todd to introduce Alfons Amade and Josh Cooper. There was a real push to recover the sorry situation, a Morrison cross was flicked on by Kane but could only earn a corner. From that Cooper corner Hamilton back headed on target but the ball was cleared off the line. Then there was real hope when COOPER drilled a left footed shot into the Arbroath net. Amade threaded the ball forward, Cooper brushed off the challenge of O`Brien to play the ball off Kane and shoot the ball into the bottom right. 3-2

In 85th a Gilmour tackle handed Arbroath setplay in a dangerous area wide left, Kane headed clear but a fourth Red Lichties goal followed. MARSHALL broke on the right side, his initial shot was beaten away by Mehmet, Nesbiit`s follow up was save by Mehmet`s feet but the 19 year-old on-loan from Aberdeen, latched on to the loose ball to make it 4-2 in 89th minute.

In the second minute of time added on a Kane shot was cleared off the Arbroath goalline. Cooper`s free kick was headed on target by Gilmour but well saved. Dunfermline finished strongly but the Angus side held out for a two goal win.

Arbroath consolidated their third place in the Championship. Although they are seven points behind Partick in second, they are seven ahead of Ayr United having played one game more. Dunfermline sit seventh, only four points behind Ayr but only six ahead of Ross County in tenth.

ARBROATH: Aidan McAdams: Craig Watson, Thomas O`Brien (c), Aaron Muirhead, Jack Wilkie: Ryan Flynn, Harry Cochrane (Tom Beadling 54), Findlay Marshall, Ryan Dow (Scott Stewart 87): Gavin Reilly (Aidan Nesbitt 71), Jacob McIntyre
SUBS NOT USED: Colin Hamilton, David Gold, Ross Callachan, Tam Lang, Dapo Mebude, Jordan Pettigrew (GK)
SCORERS: Dow (2), Muirhead (50)
YELLOW CARDS: Cochrane (42), McIntyre (86)
RED CARD: McIntyre (90+3)

DUNFERMLINE: Billy Terrell (Deniz Mehmet HT): Shea Kearney (Chris Hamilton 63), Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen (c), Nurudeen Abdulai (Josh Cooper, 74,) Robbie Fraser: Callumn Morrison, Freddie Turley, Charlie Gilmour, Matty Todd (Alfons Amade 74): Andrew Tod, Olly Thomas (Chris Kane 63)
SUBS NOT USED: Kyle Benedictus, Keith Bray.
SCORERS: Tod (14), Cooper (82)
YELLOW CARD: Turley (41), Neil Lennon (51), Gilmour (86), Kane (88)

REFEREE: Kevin Clancy
ATTENDANCE: 1809
WEATHER: Rain 9°C

NEXT MATCH: William Hill Championship, (home) v Partick Thistle, Tuesday 24th February 2026, kick off 7.45pm at KDM Group East End Park

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