The Sons hosted Highland side Cove Rangers in the penultimate home match of our League One campaign this afternoon.
Gaffer Stevie Farrell made eight changes from the side’s incredible 6–0 win away to Kelty Hearts last weekend, with the boss spreading out game time for the squad as a reward for their loyalty during the administration period.
Today’s visitors headed south looking to consolidate their position in the play-offs and do what they could to delay Arbroath’s title win for another week.
Before kick-off, there was a minute’s applause for former director John Kane, which was impeccably observed by both sets of supporters.
Cove got the game underway, and both sides exchanged attacks in the opening stages, though neither goalkeeper was tested early on.
The first real chance of the match fell to the Sons. Good work down the left flank from Greig Young ended with his cross finding Craig McGuffie, but the winger’s curling effort drifted just past the far post.
Unfortunately, the visitors took the lead when a Fraser Fyvie cross found Dylan Lobban unmarked in the six-yard box, and he made no mistake.
Cove doubled their advantage shortly after, with captain Fyvie beating Sliwinski from distance via a deflection.
The Sons pushed to get back into the match but went into the break trailing by two goals.
In the second half, our fortunes began to shift. Sena Niang picked out Kristian Webster in the box, and the loanee defender pulled one back right at the start of the half.
We came close through Hilton and Webster again before the hour mark, as the team began to dominate proceedings.
Despite creating numerous chances, it was the visitors who would strike next. Lobban cut inside and finished well on the counter to restore their two-goal cushion.
We made several changes and pushed forward late on, creating a few decent opportunities, but ultimately the match ended in defeat.
Post match Stevie Farrell touched on the amount of changes, stating that the players still turned up despite already being relegated and despite the uncertainty over wages and contracts and all deserved game time due to their loyalty.
He said: We’re a club in administration, if we were in normal circumstances, we wouldn’t be making all these changes.
“To keep 20 players happy, that are thinking every month that their wages are going to be paid, you’ve got to make sure that you play guys that turn up every week to training.
“We’ve kept everybody together and everybody feels part of it.”
On the game itself the gaffer felt bad decisions cost the side in the first half but felt the team improved in the second but just lacked a clinical edge.
He praised young loanee Kristian Webster on his first senior goal and his progression since moving to right back from centre half.
He said: “I think he’s looking like a very good player as a two.
“Delighted for his first senior goal, it’s always a big moment for a young player, so I’m delighted for him.”
Next up, Stevie and his side head up to Montrose on Saturday before the final home fixture against Annan the following week.