Post-Match Analysis - what the papers say

Last updated : 28 September 2009 By Fargone
The Courier

ARBROATH boss John McGlashan paid tribute to his players and the club's supporters as the Lichties ended their recent barren run with a deserved 1-0 victory over ALLOA at Recreation Park.

Bryan Scott's first-half penalty was enough to secure all three points for Arbroath after the home side were reduced to 10 men.

Barry Sellars should have put the visitors ahead after 26 minutes but he shot wide from barely five yards with only David Crawford to beat.

They deservedly took the lead three minutes later after John Grant's deliberate handball, which resulted in his sending off and a penalty kick that Scott easily dispatched.

In the second half, the best chance fell to Arbroath's Steven Hislop who also missed an easy opportunity to further increase his side's tally from close range.

"It's disappointing that we didn't manage to score more of the chances we created because we could have been three or four up," said McGlashan.

"But the important thing is that we stopped the rot, kept a clean sheet and won against a team that is right up there challenging at the top of the league."

He added, "The players deserve a tremendous amount of credit because we weren't fancied for this game. I'm really chuffed for them and also for the supporters who travelled though to get behind the team on the back of three bad results.

"They are the true supporters, the ones who don't give up and stick by us through thick and thin and I take my hat off to them."

Press & Journal

McGLASHAN PLEASED WITH IMPROVEMENTS MADE BUT CONCERNED AT FAILURE TO CONVERT CHANCES

Arbroath on the up after rare Recreation Park win

Arbroath moved up two places in the Second Division after a well-earned 1-0 victory against Alloa on the Recreation Park artificial surface on Saturday.

John McGlashan, the Arbroath manager, was happy with the effort of his side but felt the Red Lichties should have netted more than once.

He said: "We have been a bit anxious after recent results but certainly showed a big improvement in this match. "We have not won at Alloa for years, so collecting the points and managing a clean sheet was a good achievement.

"We could have won by many more goals had we taken just some of the chances we made." The only goal came in the 29th minute when Bryan Scott converted from the penalty spot after the home side's midfielder, John Grant, had handled a low drive from Ian Dobbins three yards out, an offence which earned him a red card.

Alloa could have been level in the 35th minute but Scott Agnew's shot was pushed over the bar by Darren Hill.

The visitors continued to push forward in the second half when Steven Hislop missed a great chance from just eight yards out before Kevin McMullan saw his 25-yard strike held by Alloa goalkeeper David Crawford.

Home substitute Jason Thomson struck the bar near the end of the encounter but Arbroath were clearly the dominant side.

Alloa manager Allan Maitland said: "I felt John Grant was a bit unlucky to be sent off but we could have managed a point when Thomson hit the bar.

"Our effort was great but we needed a bit of real quality, so we must dig in during the next few games."

Sunday Mail

JUBILANT John McGlashan hailed each of his his battling troops as a first-half penalty from Bryan Scott sealed victory.

The Arbroath gaffer insisted they should have won by four but was just delighted to get back to winning ways after losing the last three league games.

He said: "I can't praise the lads enough for their effort. We created a lot of chances and should have wrapped up the points earlier. We haven't had a win here for about 10 years so it was a while coming."

Arbroath wasted a couple of good early chances - the best falling to Barry Sellars who shot wide.

Alloa defender John Grant was then sent off on the half hour for handling Ian Dobbins' netbound effort and Scott (below) made no mistake from the spot.

After the break Scott Agnew almost equalised for Wasps but his free-kick in 72 minutes was well saved by keeper Darren Hill.

Alloa boss Allan Maitland said: "We were poor from the start and need to dig deep in the next few weeks."