Peterhead 2 v 1 Albion Rovers

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Attendance : 483

Scorers ~ Peterhead : MacKay (12, 35). Albion Rovers : McManus (59)

Rovers went into this match having lost five matches in a row, if they were to end this run they'd have to improve dramatically from Tuesday's defeat at the hands of league-leaders Stirling Albion.

Several players were left out of the squad due to injury, a list lengthened by the names Molloy and Paterson since the last match. Into the squad came a trialist central defender with SPL experience and, for the first time since his injury sustained on the pre-season tour in Dublin, striker John Bradford who came on from the bench.

It took 3 minutes for on-form Peterhead to make their first decent move when striker Martin Johnston was blocked by keeper Neil Bennett at the edge of the Rovers box. Less than a minute later the same man unleashed a shot from all of 30 yards which missed the target by inches.

In 10 minutes it was Rovers turn, a cross into the box was deftly knocked down by Mark Yardley for Jordan Smith to have a go at the home goal, unfortunately it was blocked by keeper Mathers.

Goal

Rovers went one down in 12 minutes when a strong cross from Martin Bavidge hit Rovers' Jered Stirling and looked suspiciously over the goal-line. Before any appeals for a goal could be made by the Blue Toon all doubt was removed by Stuart MacKay who latched onto the rebound and knocked the ball into the net at the back post,

A few mins later a woeful Jordan Smith shot went very wide of the mark. That man MacKay was next to have a go, when in 24 minutes his head from close-in seemed easier to score than put past the post, but that's where it went.

In 27 minutes Mark Yardley took a sore one in the face from keeper Mathers as both challenged for a loose ball. The half-hearted claim for a penalty by the small band of travelling fans was ignored by referee Duff. 4 minutes later home striker Martin Bavidge had a kick over the bar that Johnny Wilkinson would have been proud of.

In 30 minutes Rovers troubles deepened when Stuart MacKay grabbed a second goal, His wonder strike from 30 yards curled inside the post leaving Neil Bennett helpless to prevent it.

The last thing of note in the opening period was when Mark McManus went on a run up the wing. With Mark Yardley in the middle he opted to continue in on goal, his shot however was deflected out for what proved to be an unproductive corner.

Second Half

3 minutes into the half Peterhead managed a total of three shots in as many seconds. The first and third of which were blocked on the line with Neil Bennett saving the middle one, Robert Duncan was the main architect of the move,

In 53 minutes a strong MacKay shot from 25 yards rebounded from the junction of crossbar and post with Neil Bennett forced to look on. 3 minutes later it was Paul McManus who came close when he twisted around inside the Peterhead box and shot over the crossbar.

Comeback

In 59 minutes Paul McManus was to see his hard work rewarded when keeper Mathers kicked a Kevin Bain back pass straight to the Cliftonhill striker who made no mistake in slipping the ball into the net.

A period was to follow in which Rovers had a fair percentage of pressure which they couldn't convert into actual attempts on goal.

In 63 minutes a skilful run down the wing by Andy Roddie supplied the ball to Daryn Smith who squandered the opportunity by miss-kicking it past the post. Seconds later Roddie was again involved when he got on the end of a cross while in the centre of Rovers goalmouth and just 6 yards out, but he launched the ball into the air which Bennett was able to catch quite comfortably.

In 70 minutes the stress was evident on the home bench when they had an official warned by the referee for failing to give the ball back quickly enough to a Rovers player trying to take a throw-in, A couple of minutes later a Graeme McCaul cross cum shot appeared to strike a blue sleeved arm in the Peterhead box, much to the annoyance of Rovers management Steven Duff waved away the penalty claims.

In 76 minutes Andy Roddie was booked for a very late challenge on Graeme McCaul which led to the Rovers youngster being substituted a few minutes later.

Just after this a Mark Yardley cross was put over the home crossbar by Jered Stirling. Then a poorly directed pass by captain Jim Mercer stopped a Rovers attack in its tracks when a grateful Andy Roddie gathered the ball and ran from the halfway line only to see his poor effort get its just rewards.

With 10 minutes remaining a cross from Iain Stewart was headed onto Neil Bennett's crossbar by Martin Johnston. Just 2 minutes from time Jordan Smith failed to stop substitute Kevin Tindal but the shot proved no problem for Bennett,

The last attempt at goal of the match came from Mark Yardley but it wasn't quite on target. The match ended with one or two ill-informed home fans shouting abuse at Peter "Silky" Hetherston for his team losing.

Summary

Although the home team hit the woodwork twice and did deserve all 3 points Rovers, with a little luck could have gained a draw.

Peterhead : Mathers, Smith, Good, Raeside, Perry, Bain (Tindal 66), MacKay, Duncan (McSkimming 75), Johnston, Bavidge (Stewart 78), Roddie. Unused Subs : McGuiness, Farquhar.

Albion Rovers : Bennett, Connolly, Cormack, Sweeney, Trialist, Stirling, McCaul (Bradford 83), Smith, Yardley, McManus, Mercer. Unused Subs : Fahey, McCaig, McBride, McKenzie.

Referee : Steven Duff

Man of the Match - Mark Yardley

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