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Albion Rovers 3 v 0 Montrose |  |
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Albion Rovers 3 v 0 Montrose | |
| Bell's League Third Division 7th February 2004 |
Pics here at a later date
Attendance : 192
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Mercer (17), McManus (84), Smith (90).
For the first time in 67 days the Cliftonhill faithful turned up at Cliftonhill for a football match. An early cup exit, rearrangement of a Christmas fixture and bad weather all combining to make it such a long wait. It didn't take long for visitors Montrose to take the initiative when Stuart Ferguson got on the end of a Martin Wood free-kick but the ball was wide of the target.
Five minutes later Graeme Sharp nipped in between several defenders after a pass which put him through. Several minutes passed before any other action when a Craig Smart shot was deflected past and the resulting corner brought out a good save from 'keeper Bennett. In 16 minutes Smart had another pop at goal but it went straight to the Rovers goalies arms.
Goal
In 17 minutes Rovers first real attempt at goal produced the opening goal. A header from Jim Mercer hit the net after Paul McManus had his header cleared off the line by Stuart Ferguson.
The next shot at goal was from on-loan Tony Low whose shot was straight at Montrose goalie Jim Butter. A couple of minutes later a Jordan Smith back-pass let a Montrose attacker in on goal but Neil Bennett blocked the shot.
The Coatbridge weather wasn't at its best and short-lived blizzards came and went. With 10 minutes to go until half-time the ball fell to Scott Michie who was just in front of Rovers goal but he didn't quite make proper contact with the ball and his header missed the goal. Two minutes later Keith Gibson tried his luck from distance but the ball was just over the crossbar.
Second Half
The half started as the previous one ended i.e. Montrose in charge. A Martin Wood free-kick was easily held by Neil Bennett within a couple of minutes of the restart. Just after this Craig Smart tip-toed through the defence but saw his shot go over. Smart was blocked and Sharp managed to put the ball over from a mere 2 yards from Rovers goal line.
In 59 minutes a speculative shot by Rovers' captain Jim Mercer from 30 yards beat keeper Butter but the ball rebounded from the crossbar. At this point the snow was worsening and it put the future of the game in doubt, referee Murray called for the yellow ball improve the situation.
Paul McManus had a cross cum shot held by Butter which soon turned into a Gable Endies attack and Neil Bennett in the Rovers goal was quick to get down to stop a Darren Spink shot. Montrose were still in the game but a weak Craig Smart shot in 72 minutes didn't trouble Bennett.
As the visitors pushed forward to salvage a point Rovers took advantage and the game was put of the Gable Endies reach in 84 minutes when a through-ball from Marc McKenzie found Paul McManus with only Butter to beat. He slipped it past the 'keeper and it was 2-0. With a minute left a Jim Mercer shot from 20 yards was parried to safety by Butter.
In injury time a Jed Stirling free-kick found Jordan Smith at the far post and his header found the back of the net.
Summary
Although Montrose had much of the possession and squandered some good chances to score it was Rovers who took the chances. Referee Murrau didn't feel it necessary to take any players names during what was a good tempered game.
Albion Rovers : Bennett, Connolly, Kerr, Sweeney, Smith, McCaul (McKenzie 71), Low (Stirling 77), Patrick, Yardley, McManus (Bradford 86), Mercer. Unused Subs : Peterson, McCaig.
Montrose : Butter, Donachie, Ferguson, E. Smith, McQuillan, Spink, Smart, Gibson, Michie (Henderson 60), Wood (Trialist 78), Sharp (Hall 78). Unused Subs : G. Smith, Hall.
Referee : Calum Murray
Man of the Match - Paul McManus
