Preview Arbroath

Scottish Championship (away) Saturday 6th February 2021, 3.00pm kick off at Gayfield behind closed doors

Saturday’s match at Gayfield will be the 100th between Arbroath and Dunfermline Athletic. The Pars have won 48, Arbroath 30 and 21 have been drawn. The Angus side have the upper hand in their home games, 21 wins to the Pars 15 within 11 drawn.

In buoyant mood after demolishing neighbours Raith Rovers 4-1 on Wednesday night, this match can probably not come quick enough for Stevie Crawford’s side. With heavy snow forecast they can only hope it doesn’t lie on the coast.

Milestones Arbroath (away)
Last Victory | 28/11/20 | 3-1 | Betfred Cup
Last Defeat | 31/08/19 | 1-0 | Championship
Best Victory | 14/09/57 | 5-0 | Division Two
Best Victory | 09/08/52 | 5-0 | League Cup
Worst Defeat | 03/10/25 | 0-5 | Division Two
Worst Defeat | 23/01/54 | 0-5 | Division B
Last Goalless Draw | 04/03/20 | 0-0 | Championship
First Meeting | 04/02/22 | 0-0| Division Two

Last Meeting at Gayfield
Betfred Cup, Saturday 28th November 2020
Arbroath 1 Dunfermline 3


The Fifers went ahead in 28th minute, Ryan DOW was on the edge of the box and his left footed effort found the right side of the net with the Pars first shot on target. 0-1

The Pars would increase their lead eight minutes later from a Dom Thomas corner in 36 minutes. Paul Watson met it then Lewis Mayo returned the ball across the face of goal and from close in Euan MURRAY finished it. 0-2

Arbroath got back into the game with a goal in the 65th minute. Stephen Craigen made the cross from the left and Dale HILSON, a half time sub who had been fairly anonymous up until this point, converted the cross at the far post. 1-2

Seven minutes from the end any possible Arbroath comeback was ended from the penalty spot. Dow shot from 20 yards out and as it went to keeper Gaston was deflected off Ricki Little’s hand. Referee Nick Walsh awarded a penalty. Kevin O’HARA stepped up and sunk his right footed shot into the right side of the Arbroath goal. 1-3

It was a good win for the Fifers, their first at Gayfield since July 2015 and into the quarter final draw.

ARBROATH: Derek Gaston: Jason Thomson, Ricki Little, Colin Hamilton: Michael Ruth, James Craigen, Miko Virtanen, Gavin Swankie (Mark Whatley 64), Scott Stewart (Bobby Linn HT), Michael McKenna (Dale Hilson HT), Luke Donnelly (Kris Doolan 66).
SUBS NOT USED: Rab Douglas (GK)

DUNFERMLINE: Owain Fôn Williams: Lewis Mayo, Paul Watson, Euan Murray (c), Josh Edwards: Ian Wilson: Ryan Dow, Kerr McInroy, Dom Thomas (Fraser Murray 90): Kyle Turner (Aaron Comrie 84): Declan McManus (Kevin O’Hara 75).
SUBS NOT USED: Steven Whittaker, Matty Bowman, Lewis McCann, Miller Fenton, Lucas Berry, Cammy Gill (GK)

Twelve Most Recent Meetings

The Fifers have won nine of the last twelve fixtures, Arbroath two including the one last season at Arbroath and one game drawn.

26/12/20 | Dunfermline 1 Arbroath 0 | Championship
28/11/20 | Arbroath 1 Dunfermline 3 | Betfred Cup
04/03/20 | Arbroath 0-0 Dunfermline | Championship
29/10/19 | Dunfermline 2-0 Arbroath | Championship
31/08/19 | Arbroath 1-0 Dunfermline | Championship
15/08/17 | Dunfermline 2-0 Arbroath | Challenge Cup
19/07/16 | Dunfermline 3-0 Arbroath | League Cup
25/07/15 | Arbroath 1-4 Dunfermline | Challenge Cup
26/04/14 | Arbroath 1-2 Dunfermline | League One
25/02/14 | Dunfermline 3-0 Arbroath | League One
21/12/13 | Arbroath 0-3 Dunfermline | League One
17/08/13 | Dunfermline 2-3 Arbroath | League One

Recent Form

Dunfermline’s defeat at Tynecastle was just their second of the season and their first away defeat since 11th January 2020. They have drawn three of their last six matches but the defeat of the Rovers is a big confidence booster.

Arbroath have only conceded six goals but won only one of their seven home league matches this season. They are unbeaten in their last four matches including against Inverness on Wednesday night.

DUNFERMLINE
Raith Rovers (H) W 4-1
Hearts (A) L 0-1
Ayr United (H) D 0-0
Morton (A) D 0-0
Inverness Caley Thistle (A) D 1-1
Arbroath (H) W 1-0

ARBROATH
Inverness Caley Thistle (H) D 1-1
Morton (A) W 1-0
Dundee (H) D 1-1
Queen of the South (A) D 2-2
Hearts (A) L 1-3
Dunfermline (A) L 0-1

Current League Stats

DUNFERMLINE
League Position: 2nd
League Points: 24
Goal Difference: +9
League Record: P14 W6 D6 L2 GF24 GA15
Last Six Match Form: LDDWDW

ARBROATH
League Position: 9th
League Points: 11
Goal Difference: -9
League Record: P14 W2 D5 L7 GF10 GA19
Last Six Match Form: LLDDWD

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Raith Rovers): Owain Fôn Williams: Aaron Comrie, Paul Watson, Euan Murray (c)(Steven Whittaker 90), Josh Edwards: Lewis Mayo, Iain Wilson: Scott Banks (Kerr McInroy, 75), Ryan Dow (Kevin O’Hara 56), Fraser Murray: Declan McManus.
SUBS NOT USED: Lewis McCann, Kyle Macdonald, Kyle Turner, Cammy Gill (GK)

ARBROATH (v Inverness Caley Thistle): Derek Gaston: Jason Thomson, Ricki Little, Thomas O’Brien, Colin Hamilton: Dale Hilson (Kris Doolan 80), James Craigen, Michael McKenna (HT), Ben Williamson, Bobby Linn (Scott Stewart 61): Jack Hamilton (Luke Donnelly 80).
SUBS NOT USED: Gavin Swankie, Mark Whatley, David Gold, Scott Gallacher (GK).

Other Championship Fixtures

Ayr United v Hearts (Friday)
Alloa Athletic v Queen of the South
Dundee v Inverness Caley Thistle
Morton v Raith Rovers

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