Peterhead 5 v 0 Albion Rovers

Attendance : 440

Scorers ~ Peterhead : Bavidge (24, 28, 49), Buchan (30), Robertson (72).

Kevin McAllister, whose appointment as manager was only made permanent a couple of days earlier made a bold move in giving young 'keeper Mathew Carr his first start in the team since signing from Celtic youths in January. Assistant manager Scott Crabbe missed the game due to an ankle injury.

The home side started the match with the advantage of a strong wind behind them. Still clinging to the mathematical chance of promotion Peterhead started positively with Jamie Buchan having a weak shot saved by the young stopper in 5 minutes. A couple of minutes later a Martin Bavidge attempt was deflected for an unproductive corner.

In 15 minutes new signing Keith Gibson fired in a low shot at Rovers goal, Carr got down in time to stop the ball crossing the line. Play moved to the other end of the pitch almost immediately and despite getting his head to the ball Mark Yardley's attempt didn't trouble 'keeper Mathers.

Back at the other end of the pitch Gibson and Bavidge both had shots blocked in the box, John McCaig being one player involved in foiling the Blue Toon's attempts.

In 22 minutes Jered Stirling managed to stop Buchan who was on a run towards goal with a well judged tackle. Two minutes later Rovers went behind when Martin Bavidge latched onto a Johnston flick to drive home a low shot from 15 yards.

Following a Peterhead free-kick from 25 yards which Carr did well to catch in the top left hand corner of his goal Rovers went two down. A cross ball found its way to the unmarked Bavidge who lobbed the 'keeper.

On the half-hour mark Jamie Buchan celebrated his 27th birthday by slotting home a ball supplied by Martin Johnston to make it 3-0 for the home team. Ironically this was exactly the same score as Rovers had against Peterhead less than three weeks ago at Cliftonhill at the same point of the match. On that occasion the Blue Toon staged a comeback to grab a draw but few travelling fans thought their heroes could manage a similar comeback.

In 34 minutes a defensive error gave Johnston an unexpected chance to score but his shot was wide of the target. A few minutes later Andy Roddie hit a free-kick 35 yards from the far touchline which rattled the crossbar with Carr left helpless.

With 4 minutes left until half-time a Jed Stirling ball into the box was launched by defender Shaun McSkimming approx 2 yards from his own line. The ball bounced about in the homesters penalty area for what seemed like ages but nobody could get a foot to it.

Second Half

Just four minutes into the second period Rovers lost a fourth goal when a long ball from 'keeper Mathers lead to Bavidge bagging his hat-trick.

After a Gibson shot went the proverbial mile over the Rovers goal in 52 minutes Rovers enjoyed a period of domination. Mark Yardley and John Bradford both had attempts blocked by Mathers in the Peterhead goal. Jered Stirling then hit a strong free-kick from 30 yards which was easily stopped by the 'keeper.

In 63 minutes John  Bradford shot across the goal but it missed by a small margin. Just after this captain Jim Mercer saw his weak header saved. Peterhead decided to come back into the game when Johnston's shot was saved on the ground by Mathew Carr.

In 71 minutes a strong Bradford shot resulting from a Stirling corner was saved by the 'keepers legs. Next a Buchan cross to Robertson in front of goal was lashed into the Rovers net to complete the scoring. Although Peterhead had played the theme tune to Hawaii five-o at each goal they scored, this time it was particularly appropriate!

Bradford had a wild shot at goal which was followed soon after by each side bringing on a couple of substitutes, Kerr Potter getting his first taste of Rovers first team action among them.

Gibson sent the ball across the visitors goal without anybody getting close to it with approx 12 minutes remaining. A few minutes later no less than 5 Rovers men were playing ping pong with the ball in the homesters area but didn't manage to produce a shot.

With 7 minutes left on the clock Paul McManus went down in the box after an apparent foul but no penalty was awarded. Kevin McAllister enquired why no award was given only to be told by referee Brines that the clubs' top scorer had "fallen over".

The last action of the match came from Blue Toon substitute Daryn Smith whose shot from the corner of the 6 yard box came safetly off Mathew Carr. 

Peterhead : Mathers, Tindal, McSkimming, Good, Perry, Gibson, Robertson (Duncan 76), Buchan (Smith 76), Bavidge, Johnston, Roddie (Brash 69). Unused Subs : Stewart, Buchanan.

Albion Rovers : Carr, Paterson, Stirling, McCaig (Potter 74), Smith (Cormack 46), Farrell, Bradford (Low 77), Patrick, Yardley, McManus, Mercer. Unused Subs : Selkirk, Bennett.

Referee : Ian Brines

Man of the Match - John Bradford

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