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Albion Rovers 2 v 4 Cowdenbeath |  |
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Albion Rovers 2 v 4 Cowdenbeath | |
| Bell's League Third Division 8th May 2004 |
Attendance : 307
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Stirling (pen 27), Sweeney (64). Cowdenbeath : Shields (16, 21), Gilfillan (84), Smith (o.g. 87).
Rovers took to the Cliftonhill pitch for what could prove to be the last time in a competitive match. They had only pride and a slight improvement or worsening of their league position to play for. The first disappointment of the day for Rovers fans came when the teams were announced, top scorers Paul McManus and Mark Yardley were missing due to injury and manager Kevin McAllister didn't list himself in the squad for a last appearance.
The home side started brightly with Scott Crabbe firing in a shot within seconds of the whistle, unfortunately it was too high. Striker John Bradford had a brace of shots miss the target by small margins by the 8 minutes mark.
In 10 minutes the ball was cut back from the Rovers goal-line to Bryan Gilfillan whose shot beat 'keeper Neil Bennett but was cleared off the line by Andy Paterson. The Blue Brazil kept coming forward and David McInally crossed the ball which produced a Gilfillan header which went over the bar when it seemed easier to score from a couple of yards.
The Fifers took the lead in 16 minutes when a defence splitting pass from distance by Gary Fusco put Dene Shields through on goal, he picked his spot and slotted home from 15 yards giving Bennett no chance. 5 minutes later Shields made it two when Andy Paterson seemed confused letting him through to slot the ball past Bennett.
Rovers reduced the deficit in 27 minutes when Innes Ritchie was adjudged to have handled the ball in a packed penalty area after a throw-in. Jered Stirling converted the penalty with consummate ease. Stirling followed that up shortly afterwards when he struck a free-kick over the wall but just past the post.
Scott Crabbe did similar from 25 yards just after this. With just a couple of minutes till half-time a McInally corner brought a strong header from McKeown which was saved by Bennett.
Half-Time
The second half didn't start with a bang, John Bradford getting the first attempt on goal 4 minutes in. The next incident of note was in 64 minutes and it was an equaliser for the Rovers. A trademark Stirling corner-kick produced a bullet header from Sean Sweeney which Andy Carlin in the Cowden goal could only watch as it hit the roof of the net.
The visitors didn't sit back and McInally had a shot which proved to be too high following a short free-kick. With 15 minutes left Cowden had a strong penalty claim denied by Mr. Sproule when McKeown appeared to have been brought down from behind by a Rovers player well inside the penalty area.
Inside the final 10 minutes John Bradford found himself in space following a defensive mix-up but didn't produce anything of note. With the game fizzling out substitute John Kelly fired in a free-kick which Bryan Gilfillan hit home.
The final significant act of the game and possibly of Rovers tenure at the much maligned stadium was most unfortunate. Liam Buchanan crossed the ball from an acute angle then Jordan Smith who is one of Rovers longest serving players got to the ball but it came off the 22 year-old and into his own net.
Paterson and Silvestro of Rovers, Gilfillan and McKeown of Cowdenbeath had their names taken by the referee.
Rovers head to Stair Park, Stranraer next week with the home side needing a win to guarantee the championship although realistically a draw will be sufficient. As Rovers lost 5-0 on their last visit there which could easily have been more it's unlikely to be an easy ending to the season.
Albion Rovers : Bennett, Paterson, Stirling, Smith, Sweeney, Silvestro, Bradford, Crabbe, McKenzie (Cormack 80), Patrick, Mercer. Unused Subs : Farrell, Potter, Valentine, Carr.
Cowdenbeath : Carlin, Shand, Campbell, Gilfillan, McKeown, Ritchie, Mowat (Buchanan 82), Fusco, Shields, McGuinness, McInally (Kelly 79). Unused Subs : McCaffrey, Doyle, Gilbertson.
Referee : Martin Sproule
Man of the Match - Jered Stirling
