Vics Stymie Gowfers At Ogilvy

Arbroath Vics 1 Carnoustie Panmure 1

Straight from the kick off, Fotheringham made good progress up the home right before sending in a deep cross. Although the ball went right across and out behind, the referee awarded a corner to Vics, despite the visiting players' vehement protests that it hadn't touched any of them.

Justice was perhaps done when Jones's cross from the flag kick picked out Brown, who headed narrowly over, thus averting a potenially major controversy in the opening minute of the game.

In six minutes, Carnoustie had a half-chance when a neat inter-change between Kelly and Muhsin, released Cook, who took the ball forward, then sent in a cross looking for Voigt, but put the ball over the top.

Carnoustie again came close to opening their account in 14 minutes when Steele advanced up the right and crossed low and hard to Muhsin, whose fierce shot was deflected behind for a fruitless corner.

Two minutes later, Kelly was brought down by Martin right on the edge of the home box. Scott got the free kick on target, but Hutcheson, throwing himself to his left, brought off a great save, turning the ball round the post for a corner. Steele's cross was only palmed away by the Vic's 'keeper and fell to Craig, who lobbed the ball back in, but Brown was on hand to boot it clear.

In 22 minutes Muhsin linked well with Voigt, who was fouled by Norrie, the Vic's man earning himself the first yellow card of the match.

Craig's free kick was headed back across the face of the goal by Scott, but Martin got up to head the ball away.

Carnoustie were unlucky not to open the scoring in 25 minutes when Voigt got on the end of a Kelly cross and fired in a shot which strukc the top of the bar with the 'keeper beaten.

With half-an-hour on the watch, the Gowfers had yet another chance when Steele linked with Muhsin, whose shot flew narrowly over the top.

In 36 minutes, Vics were forced to make a change, Houghton limping off to be replacd by McDowell.

Still the Gowfers continued to press and they again came close when a Scott free kick picked out Wilkie, whose header flashed just wide of Hutcheson's left-hand upright.

Half Time : Arbroath Vics 0 Carnoustie Panmure 0

Within seconds of the restart, Carnoustie had a scare when Bell appeared offside, but was allowed to run on and latching on to a long through ball unleashed a powerful strike, which McCafferty did well to save.

The Gowfers were then dealt a blow in 47 minutes when Wilkie had to go off with a back injury. Conway came on in his place and the ensuing team re-shuffle saw Muhsin moving to right-back, Cook to left-back and Scott taking over Wilkie's vacated slot.

Carnoustie pushed forward once more through Steele, whose cross meant for Kelly was intercepted by Martin, who headed the ball away. It dropped out to Abbot, who let rip with a fierce shot, but Hutcheson got down well to make the save.

In 55 minutes, Voigt flicked a pass through to Smith, but his shot was a weak and went straight to Hutcheson, who had no trouble making the save.

McDowell was cautioned in 65 minutes for a foul on Scott. Before the free kick was taken, the Gowfers made a second change with Collier going on to replace Steele. Muhsin's kick picked out Craig, who sent the ball deep into the Vic's box, but Martin was again on hand to clear the danger.

In 69 minutes, the Gowfers again came very close to opening the scoring. Collier fef a good pass through to Conway, who fired in a low shot, but Hutcheson got down to block the ball round the post with his legs. Conway's flag kick from the right picked out Scott, who headed narrowly past.

Three minutes later, Vics made a second substitution, Lawson going on to replace Bell.

In 78 minutes, Carnoustie at long last got the gaol which they had been threatening to score for almost the entire match. Fotheringham gave away a free kick 30 yards out and from Conway's cross, KELLY rose to head powerfully past Hutcheson to break the deadlock.

A minute later, the Gowfers made their final substitution with Voigt making way for Hall.

In 82 minutes, Fotheringham was shown the yellow card for comments made to the referee. Then less than a minute later, Abbot also voiced his opinions to the match official after a foul has been awarded against him and he too was duly booked.

Carnoustie continued to pile on the pressure and with two minutes remaining Abbot was was fouled by Jones 25 yards out. Scott took the free kick quickly and put the ball out behind, but the referee ordered it to be retaken and booked Scott for unsporting behaviour, having taken the kick before he had blown his whistle.

Before the kick could be retaken, Buick was also shown the yellow card, this for comments made about the original free kick decision.

When the referee had finished dispensing justice, Conway was at last permitted to take the free kick, but the ball struck the defensive wall and spun out behind.

Conway also took the resultant corner and picked out Cook, whose header flashed narrowly past.

Right on the 90 minute mark and with the final whistle due to sound at any second, the Gowfers were made to pay dearly for all their missed chances when Lawson made his way into the visitors' box and was brought down by Scott. The referee immediately pointed to the spot and up stepped JONES to fire the ball home, sending McCafferty the wrong way.

This gave Vics a rather fortunate draw, which their share of the play scarcely deserved and leaves Super League Carnoustie now facing an uphill task to qualify for the latter stages of the competition.

Line-Ups:

Arbroath Vics : Hutcheson, Norrie, Laing, Brown, Martin, Houghton (McDowell 36), Buick, Fotheringham, Watson, Jones, Bell (Lawson 72)

Substitute Not Used : Dall, Spurtek, Duncan (gk)

Carnoustie Panmure : McCafferty, Cook, Scott, Craig, Wilkie (Conway 47), Abbot, Muhsin, Smith, Kelly, Voigt (Hall 79), Steele (Collier 65)

Substitute Not Used : Narey, Whyte (gk)

Referee : S.Stevenson, Dundee

Match Report Courtesy Of Guide & Gazette Newspaper (17/08/2007)