Stirling Albion 3 v 0 Albion Rovers

Pic(s) here later

Attendance : 630

Scorers ~ Stirling Albion : O'Brien (35), McLean (51), Lyle (75).

Albion Rovers travelled to the league leaders having played only three games in the near eight weeks since Stirling won 3-0 at Cliftonhill. Neil Bennett was once more between the sticks, Chris Fahey having picked up a groin strain and outfield player Jamie Valentine taking the substitute 'keeper spot on the bench. New boy Tony Low from Inverness Caley Thistle started on the bench.

With a couple of minutes gone striker Derek Lyle who is on loan from Queen of the South had a strong shot cut out by Rovers defence giving the home side a corner which they squandered. Just after this a Marc McKenzie shot with good build up play from Messrs. Stirling, Mercer and Yardley was easily saved by 'keeper Hogarth.

Stirling were firmly in control now with Lyle shot from inside the box going wide, next McLean had a shot which Neil Bennett failed to hold. Luckily he got a second opportunity and made no mistake this time. A Lyle cross to O'Brien was next to trouble Rovers defence but John McCaig put the ball out and then cleared the ball from the resultant corner.

In 20 minutes a cross from Nugent to Lyle forced Neil Bennett to jump high to tip the ball over the crossbar. Rovers best chance of the match fell to John Bradford on the half hour mark when the home defence got in a fankle giving the ball to the front-man. With only the 'keeper to beat he missed the target completely when it seemed easier to score.

Goal

The seemingly inevitable Stirling goal came in 35 minutes when Bennett punched clear a Wilson shot for David O'Brien who was celebrating his 20th birthday to head home.

The rest of the first half was dominated by the home side with Scott McLean and Mark McNally among Stirling players coming close, one shot forcing Bennett to dive palming the ball onto the post.

Second Half

The half started with a bang, Jered Stirling being booked for a scything tackle on Douglas Wilson. Then 4 minutes in 18 year old striker Marc "Squib" McKenzie saw his shot touched onto the top of the Stirling net by 'keeper Hogarth.

Rovers went further behind in 51 minutes when a low Colin McKinnon cross was tapped in by the unmarked Scott McLean from about a yard. Manager Kevin McAllister tried to turn the tide by almost immediately replacing John Bradford with Paul McManus who has been fighting injury.

Mark Yardley was up for a Jered Stirling corner but his header was tipped over the bar by Hogarth. The third in the sequence of quickfire corners saw a penalty claim denied by referee Brown for what may have been a handball incident. Next David O'Brien, not content with his teams lead decided to dive in the Rovers penalty area, as there was plainly no contact referee Brown waved play on but incredibly didn't note the offenders name when play stopped.

On the hour mark Jordan Smith caused a stir when he let the ball go past him assuming that Neil Bennett would get it. The 'keeper wasn't near enough for that and a Stirling player nipped in to get it but, luckily he was less than accurate with his shot. The unmarked Lyle was up next but his shot from 25 yards was too high to trouble Hogarth.

Some sustained pressure on Rovers goal saw Neil Bennett palm away a shot only to see a further two shots blocked by defenders in the following seconds. Play switched to the other end when the ball came into contact with the hand of Binos' Mark McNally but once more Mr. Brown seemed oblivious!

In 68 minutes David O'Brien pushed his luck once more by diving yet again. This incensed the boys in yellow and red so much that he was booked along with Mark Yardley who voiced his opinions on the matter. A Lyle shot which came close was followed by Kevin McAllister's new signing Tony Low replacing Chic Connolly in 71 minutes.

Relations between the teams were getting increasingly strained and former Rover Colin McKinnon found his way into the referees black book in 72 minutes for comments he made. Jordan Smith was booked seconds later after tussling with Lyle in front of Rovers technical area, Lyle escaped punishment despite apparently swinging a couple of punches in the direction of his counterpart.

Game Over

The game was put past the Cliftonhill boys in 75 minutes when McKinnon was fouled by Mercer, referee Brown played advantage and the ball was crossed to Lyle who scored from close range. Club captain Mercer was booked for the foul on McKinnon. With a couple of minutes to go new boy Tony Low who had impressed in his short time on the pitch was fortunate that no penalty was awarded when he appeared to push a striker in the back, putting him on the ground.

The last attack of the match came from young dynamo Marc "Squib" McKenzie but his close range shot went straight to Myles Hogarth in the Stirling goal.

Summary

Rovers could easily have lost more goals, at least one supporter was relieved at losing "only" three.

Referee
Mr. Brown once more demonstrated his ineptitude at a Rovers game. In December 1993 he disallowed a perfectly good David Seggie goal against Huntly in the Scottish Cup at Cliftonhill which was filmed by the BBC, Rovers lost the replay. The clip later became part of the referees training course.

Stirling Albion : Hogarth, Nugent, Anderson, McNally, Rowe, McKinnon (Devine 77), Wilson, Kelly, McLean (Elliot 82), Lyle (Davidson 82), O'Brien. Unused Subs : Hay, Morrison.

Albion Rovers : Bennett, Connolly (Low 71), Stirling, Sweeney, McCaig, Smith, McKenzie, Patrick, Yardley, Bradford (McManus 55), Mercer. Unused Subs :  Cormack, McCaul, Valentine.

Referee : Tom Brown

Rovers Man of the Match - Marc McKenzie

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