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Albion Rovers 2 v 0 Peterhead |  |
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Albion Rovers 2 v 0 Peterhead | |
| Bell's League Third Division 27th September 2003 |
Attendance ; 293
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Yardley (84), McManus (90).
"That was a massively important win for us." So said Rovers’ boss Peter Hetherston after this victory over Peterhead; a victory which stopped the recent losing sequence and hopefully will have kick-started a promotion run which had been looking decidedly dodgy.
So, the goals that mattered were a bit on the late side, but they were worth waiting for as Mark Yardley and Paul McManus - our very own WMD - confirmed just how well they can find the net. Indeed, McManus was the Man of the Match by a long way, and there are surely plenty more goals to come from the live-wire striker. And with his trademark strike, big Yards showed that he is as dangerous as ever.
At the outset, there was not too much to suggest that this would be the match in which fortunes would change, for the first half was quite poor, with too many passes on both sides going astray. After the break however, it was largely Rovers who upped the tempo and as time wore on, it was clear that they were the team in command.
Because of suspensions to Jered Stirling and Jordan Smith, plus an ankle injury to goalkeeper Chris Fahey, Rovers were forced into a number of changes. In goal was Neil Bennett, latterly with Derry City; new signing Sean Sweeney was slotted in a centre back and Mark Molloy (ex Celtic) found a place on the bench.
Mercer Hits Post
Twice within the opening minute, visiting ‘keeper Paul Mathers had to kick clear from advancing attackers, then he was right on the spot to hold an overhead kick from McManus. The 11th minute saw the only booking of the day when John McCaig was somewhat unfortunate to have his name taken for a sliding tackle on the Blue Toon’s Iain Stewart. Almost immediately, Rovers came within inches of opening their account when a nicely-executed overhead kick by Jim Mercer rattled off a post and was booted upfield.
In the 18th minute, McManus wriggled clear of three defenders on the edge of the area and managed to get in his shot, but it slid wide. At this stage, scoring opportunities were few and far between, and there was not too much to interest the fans - except for the performance of Kevin McAllister, whose class shone through the mediocrity displayed by the other participants.
McCaig was Rovers’ saviour in the 37th minute when his last-minute blocking tackle deprived Martin Johnston of what looked like a certain goal, then, at the other end, McManus also seemed certain to score when he fired in a blistering shot which the agile Mathers somehow managed to turn over the top. With only seconds of the half remaining, Peterhead passed up a chance, the ball twice criss-crossing in front of the home goal - but with no takers.
In the 50th minute, Roddy Grant and Stewart carved open the home defence, but the final shot missed the target. Then a splendid cross by Iain Diack reached the unmarked Yardley in front of the Peterhead goal, but by the time the ball settled enough for a shot, defenders had regrouped and managed the all-important block. The eager McManus then brought out the best in Mathers by forcing the ‘keeper to make a good low stop, before Grant and Gavin Beith both fluffed attempts when in reasonable position. Mathers then raced fully twenty-five yards from his goal to get to the ball before the onrushing McManus before Sweeney made a super late intervention to rob Stewart. Then, in an almost identical move, Peterhead veteran Sean McSkimming did the same to deprive McManus of a chance.
As Rovers’ work-rate increased, so did scoring opportunities, but Mathers superbly clutched a great McManus header and Mark Perry dived to divert a Graeme McCaul cross for a corner.
The Goals
Time was running out, when with just six minutes remaining, Yardley did what he’s good at. McCaul sent McManus clear on the right wing and when his deep cross came over, Mark rose at the back post to crash an unstoppable header into the net. At this juncture, it was no more than Rovers deserved, although the resultant cheers were probably borne of relief as much as anything else.
Peterhead, undoubtedly crushed by this setback, were unable to respond and Rovers began to run the show as they wished. Although the win was in the bag, it was signed, sealed and delivered in the final minute when Yardley and McManus combined to rip great holes in the visitors’ defence, with the Man of the Match having the glory of finishing off a fine day for Rovers - and himself.
Albion Rovers : Bennett, Paterson (Molloy 90), Diack (McKenzie 81), Sweeney, McCaig, Farrell, McAllister (McBride 67), McCaul, Yardley, McManus, Mercer. Unused Subs : Cormack, Swain.
Peterhead : Mathers, McGuinness (Smith 70), McSkimming, Raeside, Perry, Bain, McKay, I Stewart, Grant (Bavidge 73), Johnston, Beith. Unused Subs : Good, G Stewart, Farquhar.
Referee : Martin Sproule.
Man of the Match - Paul McManus
