Albion Rovers 0 v 1 Arbroath

Attendance : 202

Scorers ~ Arbroath : Brazil (34).

Albion Rovers went into this Scottish cup 2nd round match on the back of 12 un-won games their 2nd division opponents recent record wasn't too good either Arbroath having failed to win their last 5.

It was the home side who started more positively dominating the 10 minutes without any real attempts on goal to speak of. Jered Stirling provided the shot which broke the duck but his strike along the ground didn't unduly trouble Inglis in the Arbroath goal. Gavin Swankie had the Red Lichties first attempt in 12 minutes when his weak overhead kick was wide of the target.

Swankie was again causing problems for Rovers a few minutes later when his swerving shot was well saved by Chris Fahey. Play quickly switched to the other end of the pitch when a long ball into the Arbroath box found Paul McManus who passed it to Scott Crabbe resulting in a strong shot being inches too high.

McManus was again in the thick of things when a cross cum shot was saved by Inglis with Captain Jim Mercer waiting in the area. Marc McKenzie then received a booking for a foul on former Rover Euan Donaldson.

Swankie was at it once more when his shot from the edge of the box was a yard wide. Jered Stirling had an opportunity to score one of his trademark free-kicks when Rovers were awarded on the edge of the Arbroath "d" his kick curled past the visitors wall and the goalpost. Stuart MacDonald had a low and strong effort easily held by Chris Fahey.

In 34 minutes Arbroath took the lead when that man Swankie put the ball through to Alan Brazil who had a easy job slipping the ball under the outstretched arm of the diving Fahey. A few minutes later Swankie again provided the ball to Brazil, this time on his head but nothing came of the move. Seconds later Brazil was booked for a foul.

The visitors nearly increased their lead when Chris Silvestro tried a passback to the 'keeper just inside his own half. Fahey charged out of his area but was unable to get to the ball and resisted the obvious temptation to clatter the attacker. Swankie was the man to shoot but Marc McKenzie was in quick to clear the ball inches from the goal line.

With seconds of the first period remaining Paul McManus chased a long ball into the Arbroath box beating a defender but 'keeper Inglis got to it first to clear the danger.

Second Half

Alan Brazil forced Fahey top save once more before a move which saw a couple of visiting players try to get clear of markers to shoot and decide to pass, finally Donaldson let loose a shot which had too much altitude.

In 64 minutes a long Scott Crabbe ball to the well marked Mercer in the box caused much consternation in Inglis but nothing came of the move. 2 minutes later fans of both sides were left scratching their heads when Rovers failed to equalise. Scott Crabbe did the hard work giving Rovers captain Jim Mercer (a former Arbroath player) the ball just 4 yards from goal. Mercer connected weakly with the ball ending up on the ground and a defender cleared the danger.

In 72 minutes a long ball from substitute John Bradford found McKenzie who was in on goal but adjudged offside. A Brazil header from a corner was just too high moments later.

Alan Brazil had the ball in the Rovers net only to see it disallowed apparently for a foul.

Jim Mercer was advancing on the opposition goal once more when he attempted to get the ball past a defender and a claim for handball was turned down by the well positioned referee. A long punt up the park by Steven Rennie fell to earth close to Rovers goal but luckily for the homesters no Red Lichties player was close enough to take advantage.

With 10 minutes remaining it was obvious that the visitors were taking their time at every opportunity. Jim Mercer was given another opportunity to score when he received the ball on the edge of the Arbroath box but he shot wide. He also had a shot blocked on the 6 yard box when the ball broke to him a few minutes later.

The last shot of the match came 2 minutes from time when a disappointing Jered Stirling shot from 30 yards missed the target.

Donaldson and Bishop  of Arbroath also received yellow cards from Mr. Downie during the match.

Summary

This was an odd match as it just didn't have the expected cup-tie atmosphere, neither side controlled much of the game. It was Arbroath who went into the 3rd round draw and will play Aberdeen next month. Rovers season is effectively over now that they've exited the Scottish Cup with only a more respectable league position being there to fight for.

Albion Rovers : Fahey, Paterson (Boyle 45), Stirling, Potter, McLaughlin (Bradford 71), McCaul (McLaren 29), McKenzie, Silvestro, Crabbe, McManus, Mercer. Subs not used -  Selkirk, Peat.

Arbroath : Inglis, McMullen, Donaldson, Rennie, McLeod, Bishop, Millar, MacDonald, Brazil (Farquharson 79), Henslee, Swankie (MacLean 81). Subs not used - Fraser, Beith, Woodcock.

Referee : Jamie Downie

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