Albion Rovers 1 v 1 Brechin City (a.e.t. 1-1 Rovers won 4-3 on penalties)

 
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Attendance : 167

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Bradford (53). Brechin City : Ritchie (76).

For the third time this season Rovers faced opposition from a higher division in cup competition, having won the previous two ties. This time it was Brechin City in the 2nd round of the CIS cup. A win would see Rovers in the last 16 of the competition which is when teams involved in European competition enter the draw. A game at Parkhead or Ibrox on 21st or 22nd September would bring a much needed cash injection.

Rovers were once more missing Paul McManus due to injury and Mark Peat stayed on the bench although it's unclear whether he's still suffering from a virus or has been unable to reclaim the number one jersey. Brechin featured on-loan 'keeper Craig Nelson from St. Johnstone who was born in Coatbridge.

The first noteworthy occurrence of the match was when David White flattened Chris Silvestro to earn himself a booking in just 5 minutes. A minute later Silvestro hit a strong shot low from about 25 yards which was held by Nelson. Mark Yardley was next to make an impression on the Brechin goal when his header from a cross missed by a small margin.

Rovers were piling on the pressure at this stage of the game and young Marc McKenzie showed willing by chipping the ball over Nelson, unfortunately White cleared the ball before the wee man could get to it. City hit back with a Kevin McLeish shot being created by a Scott McNicol cross. Mercer forced a save from Nelson before White tried from distance which didn't tax Fahey unduly.

The match was much more even by this stage as evidenced by Ritchie having his shot blocked by the defence and the rebound going to top scorer Chris Templeman whose snap shot was wide of the goals. Rovers captain Jim Mercer and Marc McKenzie combined to attack in 34 minutes with Big Jim heading the ball to McKenzie while both were approaching the Brechin goal but the second header was inches too high.

A Templeman attack was foiled by a Jordan Smith tackle and an inswinging Jed Stirling corner was punched clear by Nelson before the referee blew for half-time.

Half-Time

A couple of minutes into the second period Grant Johnson ran through the centre of the defence but Chris Fahey was on hand once more to save. By this time the pace of the game had stepped up a gear and City had chances by McLeish and Walker saved and McNicol miss when it seemed easier to hit the target.

Rovers grabbed the lead in 53 minutes when Mercer passed the ball to John Bradford who smashed the ball into the net. Not wanting to sit back and take things easy McKenzie found himself alone with the ball near the edge of the Brechin box, everybody held their breath but his shot wasn't quite on target.

McNicol had a poor effort saved by Fahey before Templeman had a quality shot also saved by the Rovers stopper who dived to prevent a goal. As things hotted up the ball was changing from one end of the park to the other very quickly, the best effort coming from Brechin substitute Stephen Hampshire shooting past when it seemed easier to score.

In 76 minutes the second division side drew level when James Smith put in a long pass to Paul Ritchie who headed home from short range. Both sides were now trying even harder for a goal before extra-time, the best effort coming in 85 minutes when a long Stirling free-kick was volleyed past by Bradford. McLeish had a shot which was high and wide to finish his teams chances of winning before the 30 minute period of extra-time started.

Mark Yardley was booked during the 90 minutes for a foul which seemed rather harsh punishment.

Extra-Time

The first period of extra-time was dominated by Brechin with a low shot from Hampshire being smothered by Hampshire. Marc McKenzie also came close for Rovers.

John Bradford was apparently a couple of yards offside when passed the ball but was allowed to continue by the officials, regrettably his shot rebounded from the legs of the advancing Nelson. City didn't relinquish control and missed the target by inches on more than one occasion in the dying minutes including a low Johnson shot stopped by Fahey. With the 120 minutes gone and the match still deadlocked at a goal apiece the game went to penalties to decide who'd progress.

Penalties

Ritchie of City had his penalty saved by Fahey but Stirling stepped up and battered the underside of the crossbar so is was still level. Johnson of City also had his attempt saved by Fahey and assistant manager Scott Crabbe put Rovers ahead. James Smith levelled the scoreline before Bradford scored to make it 2-1 for Rovers. White missed the target altogether for City and Jordan Smith's kick was saved then Gibson scored for Brechin and McGowan missed the last of the guaranteed 5 a side, and the count 2 each side.

It was now sudden death and Hampshire put City in the lead and it was up to Chris Silvestro to keep Rovers in it. He stepped up and blasted the ball over the crossbar, just as Rovers fans held their heads in their hands referee Mr. Hardie pointed to the spot for Silvio to have another go, 'keeper Nelson having come off his line too early. Silvio made no mistake this time! It was King who saw his shot saved by hero of the night Fahey to set up substitute Graeme McLaren to score the winner. A 4-3 win on penalties for Rovers.

Summary

A classic cup-tie if ever there was one, the outcome of which wasn't decided until 4 minutes past 10. Whoever and wherever Rovers play in the 3rd round they can hold their heads high being the only side outside of the SPL and 1st division remaining in the competition. An excellent performance all-round topped by a hat-trick of penalty saves by Chris Fahey. 

Albion Rovers: Fahey, Paterson (Black 89), Stirling, Smith, McGowan, Silvestro, McKenzie, Patrick (McLaren 80), Yardley (Crabbe 80), Bradford, Mercer. Subs not used - McCaul, Peat.

Brechin City : Nelson, Smith, Deas, McNicol (Gibson 70), White, Walker, Johnson, Jackson (King 67), Ritchie, Templeman (Hampshire 70), McLeish. Subs not used - Winter, Hay.

Referee : Colin Hardie.

Man of the Match -  Chris Fahey

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