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18.12.04
Morton (3) Arbroath (1)
Morton- Colin Milne 13,32 Dene Shields 42
Arbroath- James Coppinger 68
MOM- Colin Milne, Morton

"They certainly took advantage of Frank's (van de Wey) inexperience- Milne had a field day with his looping shots over him," said Gond with frustration.

"My fault on that- it was a mistake to play him on the road in this match."

"He wasn't the only problem- we never really did get much of an offensive attack going."

"It was just a tough match- and we got the result we certainly deserved."

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * Scottish First Division - Sunday 19th December 2004********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2004/5 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Arbroath 19 9 0 0 30 6 4 1 5 27 22 40 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Ayr 19 6 3 0 16 8 6 1 3 16 15 40 3rd Partick Thistle 19 7 2 0 25 11 5 1 4 12 13 39 4th Raith Rovers 19 6 1 3 17 13 3 3 3 14 19 31 5th Airdrie 19 5 4 1 10 6 2 2 5 11 17 27 6th Morton 19 5 0 5 20 17 2 1 6 13 21 22 7th Inverness C. Thistle 19 4 4 2 16 11 1 1 7 11 19 20 8th Ross County 19 3 2 4 20 21 1 3 6 9 19 17 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9th Clyde 19 2 2 5 10 15 1 4 5 9 16 15 10th Queen of Sth. 19 4 1 5 18 21 0 2 7 7 21 15 </pre>

retired_destiny1124

26.12.04
Clyde (0) Arbroath (3)
Clyde- None
Arbroath- Daniel Sjolund 3 Billy Macdonald 41 Mark Boyd 58
MOM- Mark Boyd, Arbroath

Faramir smiled when he looked up from the stat sheet, "That was the kind of effort that we needed to make defensively to win this match."

"It took some of the pressure off when Daniel (Sjolund) notched that early goal. We were very nervous from the opening whistle- but settled down after taking the lead."

***

3.1.05
Arbroath (1) Partick Thistle (0)
Arbroath- Daniel Sjolund 80
Partick Thistle- None
MOM- Greig Milligan, Partick Thistle

"A big win for us, without a doubt," said a relieved Faramir.

"It looked like it would wind up a scoreless draw- they were doing a very good job of keeping Darius (Vassell) and Daniel (Sjolund) under wraps."

***

"Do we really need another young keeper?"

"No," chuckled Faramir, "but at the price- he is a bargain. I think he is worth it and all of scouts who have seen him think he is too."

Arbroath Collects Another Keeper
Despite the fact they have several keepers under contract, Arbroath added another to the mix when they completed the transfer purchase of Andrew O'Donnell. O'Donnell, an 18 yr old out of the Inverness Caledonia Thistle youth program, had been playing on the senior side this season- but had apparently earned the enmity of club officials for several inappropriate comments following disappointing matches. The reported transfer sum was 30K.

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8.1.05
Arbroath (2) Raith Rovers (0)
Arbroath- Daniel Sjolund 27 James Coppinger 67
Raith- None
MOM- Daniel Sjolund, Arbroath

"It isn't getting any easier- that's for sure," commented Gond.

"Every match has been a tough one lately. We were fortunate to grind this one out."

"Am I imagining things, or has Daniel's (Sjolund) touch around the net improved?"

Faramir laughed, "He hasn't always shown it in practice- but yes he seems to be finishing things off just fine in the matches."

***

15.1.05
Arbroath (2) Ross County (2)
Arbroath- John Elliott 1 James Coppinger 85
Ross County- Derek Holmes 9 Mark McCormick 30
MOM- John Elliott, Arbroath

"That was a bad choice on my part," sighed Faramir. "I shouldn't have started Andrew (O'Donnell) just yet."

"He was like a deer in the car lamps," agreed Gond.

"Still, we needed to give Ian (Ritchie) a match off- and this seemed like the best opportunity."

"If Jonathan Gould doesn't play as well as he always seems to against us- we win the match. We outshot them 21-4 and we had many, many great chances in ours..."

"At least Coppy (James Coppinger) was able to salvage a draw for us."

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"That pretty much means we are out of funds for anything else this season, right?"

"True. That is the end of transfer funds. I don't really think we need anything else though- I really like our club as is. Also, he was willing to sign with a relegation release fee and skipped the minimum fee release- I wouldn't have completed it if his agent hadn't been willing to negotiate that."

Arbroath Lands Langfield
In a surprising move, Arbroath completed the transfer purchase of unhappy Jamie Langfield from Hearts. Hearts had been struggling this season and the 25 yr old had found himself sitting on the bench a lot lately. He was happy to move to a club that promised him a starting role. The purchase was especially surprising considering that Arbroath had just purchased Andrew O'Donnell and already had promising youngsters Ian Ritchie and Frank van de Wey on hand. Reportedly, Langfield was brought in to give some veteran presence to a keeper core that has appeared a bit unsteady at times for Arbroath as they fight for top spot in Division 1.

***

Ayr (1) Arbroath (1)
Ayr- Darren Moore 6
Arbroath- John Elliott 45
MOM- Mark Boyd, Arbroath

"That was truly a strange match," ruefully commented Gond. "But, Jamie (Langfield) already paid huge dividends for us in this one."

"I still wonder about both the redcards handed out. Losing Coppy (James Coppinger) at 18 minutes to his questionable one almost killed us, but John (Elliott) came up with a sensational goal past Craig Nelson."

"Then they get their redcard at 62 minutes when Paul Lovering is sent off and *then* they lose Nelson to injury. Too bad we couldn't take advantage of the loss."

"It wasn't for a lack of trying- we peppered Garry Gow. Jamie did save us in the closing moments- I thought Eddie Annand's blast was going in- until he tipped it over the net."

"A win would have been nicer, but the draw keeps them from overtaking us."

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29.1.05
Morton (1) Arbroath (0) Scottish Cup 3rd round
Morton- Brian Crawford 79
Arbroath- None
MOM- Ged Elliott, Morton

"John Connolly deserved the MOM honours more than Ged Elliott," stated Barry Gond. "He really stopped a couple beautiful shots..."

"It was a great duel between him and Jamie (Langfield). They just played a little better than us this time around. We have nothing to be ashamed of though because this was a great match for both sides."

***

5.2.05
Arbroath (2) Inverness Caledonia Thistle (0)
Arbroath- Peter Wolf 45 Steven Pressley 56
Inverness- None
MOM- Steven Pressley, Arbroath

"I was pleased with how aggressive we stayed- despite losing Darius (Vassell) to injury and then losing Mike (Zonneveld) to his redcard," commented Faramir.

"Peter (Wolf) made a fantastic run to get us the lead. The way ICT is playing, that hurt them badly- having to come from behind even with an extra man. They are really struggling."

"Ian (Ritchie) played well too- he certainly seems fine with how things have worked out- at least at this point."

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12.2.05
Arbroath (2) Morton (0)
Arbroath- Gareth Munro 52,74
Morton- None
MOM- Gareth Munro, Arbroath

"Hmm, we finally find someone who can solve John Connolly and it is only due to injuries and dumb luck," chuckled Faramir.

"Hey! At least you had the right person in at the right time- he looked really sharp for having been starting for the reserves most of the season."

"Shows you what I know- I should have had him up here."

"He wasn't the only key to the match- another stellar performance from Jamie (Langfield) helped us survive the pressure they applied."

"So far, so good- we seem to have solved the keeper problem for now at least."

***

Arbroath Sells Hamilton
Faced with a glut of young keepers, Arbroath completed the sale of Bryan Hamilton today. Portsmouth paid an estimated 180K to purchase the 24 yr old keeper. Hamilton, realizing he had dropped in the pecking order at Arbroath was anxious for the move.

***

16.2.05
Dundee United (0) Arbroath (3) League Cup Semifinal
Dundee United- None
Arbroath- Gareth Munro 18,85 Mark Boyd 21
MOM- Mark Boyd, Arbroath

"That was a stunning bit of play from our boys," cheerily commented Gond.

"They were warned that we matched up well against them- they still took us too lightly. Maybe they thought with all injuries to Darius (Vassell) and Daniel (Sjolund) we wouldn't have much offense."

"If so, then they were sadly mistaken. Mark (Boyd) was terrific today- both in play and leadership. Jamie (Langfield) also gave us the kind of work we have needed this season."

"He made the difficult saves early- then we broke it open."

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26.2.05
Arbroath (3) Queen of the South (0)
Arbroath- Mike Zonneveld 14-P Peter Wolf 20 Gareth Munro 78
Queen- None
MOM- Gareth Munro, Arbroath

"More good work from Munro. He seems intent on establishing his place," said Gond.

"He has already done it. I was foolish not to use him more," offered Faramir as he shook his head at his thoughts.

"It was another match where we looked set to pummel the opponent- but then we let them hang around again."

"A win is good enough for us at present."

***

5.3.05
Airdrie (2) Arbroath (3)
Airdrie- Michael Craig 2,54
Arbroath- Peter Wolf 64 James Coppinger 79 Billy Macdonald 82
MOM- Michael Craig, Airdrie

"That was an amazing comeback! I thought they had us for sure when Craig scored his 2nd goal against us," stated a relieved Gond.

"We didn't do ourselves any favors until after that goal- with all the misses over the nets and hitting the uprights three times in the first half."

"Though we lacked execution today, we never lacked heart."

"True- this win was a testament of the club never quitting."

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20.3.05
Arbroath (2) Celtic (2) League Cup Final (Arbroath win on Penalties)
Arbroath- Gareth Munro 49 Peter Wolf 55
Celtic- Stilian Petrov 34 Alan Shearer 63
MOM- Peter Wolf, Arbroath

"Terrific match- a bit too much for my nerves," smiled a tired Faramir.

"I hate shoot-outs!" stated Gond emphatically, "Still, we won the League Cup- do you believe it?"

"I am still in shock," admitted Faramir. "When John (Elliott) drilled it past Robert Douglas- I was hoping...praying that Michael Hughes would miss. Jamie (Langfield) makes it all academic with a brilliant parry of his penalty..."

"It was a great match. They almost overpowered us with Shearer and Hartson- but the backline did their best and it was enough."

***

23.3.05
Raith Rovers (2) Arbroath (0)
Raith- Leigh Hinds 60 Steve McManus 83
Arbroath- None
MOM- Steve McManus, Raith Rovers

"The fall from grace was quick," sighed Faramir. "They just plain outplayed us in the match."

"Samuel Monnin played well in net for them- he made some huge saves that kept us from getting back to even and then McManus crushed us."

"It was a good match- disappointing for us- but we didn't play badly, they just played better."

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26.3.05
Partick Thistle (0) Arbroath (2)
Partick- None
Arbroath- Billy Macdonald 7 Mike Zonneveld 66-P
MOM- Thomas Magnusson, Arbroath

"Tooth and nail all the way, but you could sense their desperation when Michael Stewart's goal was waved off on the offside," stated a relieved Gond.

"It was a match we badly needed. Now we need to come back with just as strong an effort against Ayr next week and I will feel a lot better about things."

"Jamie (Langfield) justified your choice again today- Kenny Arthur was superb in their net, but we don't win this unless Jamie also plays well- and he did."

"The entire backline deserves credit- they did a nice job controlling play in and around the area."

***

2.4.05
Arbroath (4) Ayr (1)
Arbroath- James Coppinger 42 Peter Wolf 49 Mark Boyd 84 Dunga 86
Ayr- Scott Chaplain 88
MOM- Mark Boyd, Arbroath

"Our two biggest matches of the season- and we came up trumps in both," said Gond triumphantly.

"It was one of our strongest performances to be sure. We did an excellent job controlling the flow of play and forcing them into defensive errors. It took awhile to solve Craig Nelson in net- but we did."

"I thought one of the keys was the play of Angelo (Schembri)- he continually ran the flank and carried the play into their end."

"You're absolutely right Barry- he put a lot of pressure on them, since they really couldn't figure out a way to stop his runs."

"Now, we have 6 points on Ayr, and 7 on Partick Thistle with 5 matches left."

"It is right where I was hoping we would be- after these matches with Partick and Ayr."

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9.4.05
Ross County (1) Arbroath (2)
Ross County- Liam Miller 7
Arbroath- Peter Wolf 31 Kieren Burchell 49
MOM- Jonathan Gould, Ross County

"Gould deserved the honours in my book- he really did thwart our efforts," said a cheery Barry Gond.

"Have to agree with you on that- he really stopped us cold for much of the match. Both goals we got were on rebounds that Peter (Wolf) and Kieren (Burchell) happened to reach first."

"Once we got the lead, we did a good job of clamping down on them."

"True, and Jamie (Langfield) was mad at himself after giving up the goal. He really played well after that."

***

16.4.05
Arbroath (3) Clyde (0)
Arbroath- Peter Wolf 21 Isaiah Rankin 42 Daniel Sjolund 45
Clyde- None
MOM- Steven Pressley, Arbroath

"I can't think of anything better," commented a very happy Gond.

"Clinching the title and a ticket to SPL at home- I can't really think of anything better either," replied Faramir.

"Give them credit, they had a lot of heart- but our pace advantage helped close them out."