from the Sunday Mail: FORFAR boss Dick Campbell hailed his side’s battling spirit after they held on with nine men to snatch a point in a feisty Angus derby.
The Loons had goalscorer Michael Bolochoweckyj and Steven Tulloch red-carded in an action-packed Gayfield clash.
Arbroath midfielder Scott Robertson was lucky not to see red himself for pushing Bolochoweckyj after his stamp on Arbroath player-boss Paul Sheerin.
Campbell said: “What amazing spirit we showed with nine men. I’m only disappointed we didn’t win the game because of poor discipline.
“I didn’t see the first red-card incident but if he has kicked out then he should have gone off.
“The second red card was a clear red. He denied a clear goalscoring opportunity and that’s disappointing.
“But I don’t understand why Arbroath didn’t have a player sent off. I went to an SFA meeting in the summer and was told if a player raises their hands they go off.
“Robertson pushed my player over and because he didn’t roll about the ground it was only a yellow card. That wasn’t fair.”
Arbroath boss Sheerin said: “The first red card was deserved. Their boy had a clear kick at me and you can’t get away with that in the modern game.
“If Forfar are frustrated at that red card then that’s ridiculous but if they are upset our player didn’t walk for pushing, then I can understand.
“Robertson had a rush of blood to his head and bundled their player over. It could have been a red card but wasn’t. I’m disappointed we couldn’t make the extra men count.”
Forfar stormed into an early lead as they cut the Arbroath defence open after four minutes.
Ross Campbell’s header was blocked by the Red Lichties defence but Bolochoweckyj reacted quickly to slide a rebound under Derek Soutar’s body.
Forfar were well in control at this stage and came close to a second on nine minutes as Chris Templeman met Iain Campbell’s cross but wasted his header.
The game then turned ugly as goal hero Bolochoweckyj turned villain with his red card. He went in hard on Sheerin and stamped on the Arbroath player-boss.
That sparked a furious reaction from Arbroath midfielder Scott Robertson who pushed Bolochoweckyj to the deck.
Referee Des Roache was called over by an assistant and red-carded Bolochoweckyj before booking his team-mate Ross Campbell for dissent and Robertson for his push.
Arbroath drew level in 52 minutes as Omar Faeroe bundled over Derek Holmes to leave whistler Roache with no option but to point to the penalty spot.
Steven Doris stepped up to fire the ball beyond Soutar.
Forfar were then reduced to nine men as Tulloch hauled back Doris on the edge of the box.
But Arbroath struggled against the depleted side and never really looked capable of winning.
Source: FOOTYMAD
