Archives | Arbroath 1 Dunfermline 1

William Hill Championship
Matchday #5
Saturday 5th September 2026
Gayfield Park

Despite dominating the match Dunfermline had to settle for one point as they paid dearly for squandering good first half chances.

Two changes from last week`s victory over Raith Rovers. Josh Cooper and Andrew Tod returned to the starting XI. Callumn Morrison and Keith Bray dropped to the bench and Olamilekan Adams led the line upfront

For Arbroath, Andy Winter, Michael McKenna and Scott McGill came into the side, Scott Constable was suspended, Gavin Reilly, Scott Stewart and Scott Robinson missed out

It was a stodgy opening from both sides with few clear-cut chances in the early exchanges.

The Pars began to grow into the game on 12 minutes when Oyirwoth fired over, failing to trouble Aidan McAdams. Moments later Adams had an effort before good link-up play between Oyirwoth and Tod saw McAdams forced into a save as Tod stretched to get a right-footed shot away.

On 18 minutes, good play found Cooper on the left, his deep cross was collected by Rudden who swung it back in, but Adams` header lacked purchase and power, going straight to the goalkeeper in the centre of his 6-yard box.

Next Andrew Tod cut in from the left and struck a venomous effort which McAdams tipped over. From the resulting corner, Abdulai met it at the back post with an acrobatic effort that flew narrowly over.

A minute later, Adams fired over after good work from Amade and Cooper in the build-up. On 36 minutes, the clearest and best chance for the Pars in the match to date came around, starting with Cleall-Harding, who played a ball over the top of the Red Lichties backline, despite appeals for offside from the hosts, Tod drove in on goal but was denied by McAdams. Moments later Oyirwoth headed over before Tod shot off target again.

Arbroath`s best - and only - chance of the half came a minute before the break when Andy Winter capitalised on a defensive lapse but failed to provide the sucker punch that Co-Managers David Golf and Colin Hamilton would`ve been looking for on the stroke of half-time.

Half-Time: Arbroath 0 Dunfermline Athletic 0

It was another sticky beginning to the half, but the deadlock was broken nine minutes after the restart. A free-kick was floated into the Fifers box, Thomas O`Brien got his head to it before Michael MCKENNA fired past Oxborough at the back post, to put the hosts in front. 1-0

The Pars responded well. On the hour mark, Tod battled his way into the box under heavy pressure but stabbed his effort wide. Neil Lennon acted on 62 minutes with a double change; Amade and Rudden making way for captain, Charlie Gilmour and Chris Kane. Three minutes later, neat play found Adams on the right, his low ball picked out Cooper in the area, but his effort was saved by McAdams.

Two minutes later, the Pars found their leveller. Robbie Fraser`s delivery into the box found Josh COOPER, who showed composure to take a touch before firing home to get his name on the scoresheet once again. 1-1

Arbroath made two changes on 71 minutes with Scott McGill and Andy Winter replaced by former Par, Tom Beadling and Cormac Daly. Dunfermline continued to push and three minutes on, Lobban`s 25-yard free-kick drifted well off target, before Oyirwoth headed over from a corner minutes later.

Further changes followed with Jude Bonner replaced by Brody Paterson for the hosts on 80 minutes, while Adams made way for Rory Macleod on 82 minutes for the Pars. With seven minutes remaining a quick free-kick found Cooper but his shot from distance was dragged wide.

The final chance fell to Oyirwoth in stoppage time, but his effort from outside the box sailed over the crossbar. The draw left Neil Lennon`s side in sixth place level on points with Livingston and seven points behind the early trailblazers, Marvin Bartley`s Stenhousemuir,

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