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Albion Rovers 2 v 0 Elgin City |  |
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Albion Rovers 2 v 0 Elgin City | |
| Bell's League Third Division 2nd April 2005 |
Attendance : 246
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Bradford (62 pen.), McKenzie (90).
Albion Rovers victory was historic for a few reasons, firstly it was their first home win since September 11th and therefore the first under Jimmy Lindsay at Cliftonhill. It was also Rovers first ever win over their Highland visitors in Coatbridge.
Hugh Dickson was first to show willing in 1 minute when he launched an overhead kick over Rovers bar. In 7 minutes it was Rovers turn, Jered Stirling put in a corner which led to Lee Wilson shooting high of the target.
John Bradford was back from injury and wasn't hanging about when he spun round on the spot inside the visitors box to shoot, 'keeper Renton managed to save it but gave Ricky Patrick the ball and then saved the resulting shot.
Adam Nelson let loose a strong shot from 25 yards which Chris Fahey held. Craig Higgins had a similar shot saved by Fahey a couple of minutes later. Play switched ends and Wayne Gordon was edged off the ball as he shot high.
Marc McKenzie was heading goalward when he provided Jim Mercer with the ball on the edge of the Elgin box, the Rovers captain turned quickly but his shot was disappointing. Andy Roddie hit a free-kick from the far side to Willie Martin on the nearside bye-line, Martin caused the ball to whiz across Rovers goal 2 yards out but Fahey and the Elgin players managed to miss it.
Wilson for Rovers and Bremner both came close with decent attempts before half-time.
Second Half
The only incidents of note in the opening 10 minutes of the second period were the bookings received by Martin and Kaczan of Elgin for fouls. Wayne Gordon broke the monotony when he rounded a persistent defender only to see his shot rebound off 'keeper Renton to Marc McKenzie whose header went wide.
In 61 minutes an Andy Roddie punch on the goal line denied Jim Mercer and Rovers a goal. Referee Sproule sent the former Peterhead player for an early shower. John Bradford stepped up to slot the resulting penalty just between the diving City 'keeper and the goalpost.
Substitute Mathew Huckins, making his debut shot past Rovers goal when he should really have had the ball on target. Lee Wilson turned quickly and had his strong shot come off Renton and the follow-up shot by Bradford was held by the City stopper.
Patrick and Black of Rovers received bookings in the dying minutes. As the game entered injury time Rovers fans took nothing for granted as they've lost a few late goals recently. It was however Rovers' who were on the attack when Patrick put in a free-kick which Bradford headed too high.
Around 3 minutes over time Marc McKenzie hit a cracking shot over Renton who was off his line from 30 yards.
Summary
Far from a classic match but a deserved and long awaited home win for Rovers none the less! Marc McKenzie gets man of the match for his dogged attacking and at times scintillating play as well as his quality strike. Elgin travelled home knowing that a win would have put them in 3rd place in the table but instead they're 7th.
Albion Rovers : Fahey, Friel, Stirling, Potter, Patrick, Black, McKenzie, Gordon, Bradford, Wilson, Mercer. Subs Not Used : Douglas, Wallace, McCaul, Selkirk, Carr.
Elgin City : Renton, Cumming, Dickson, James McKenzie, Kaczan (Napier 79), Bremner (Huckins 67), Higgins, Nelson, Reid (Harty 46), Martin, Roddie. Subs Not Used: Wood, Stuart McKenzie.
Referee : Martin Sproule
Man of the Match - Marc McKenzie
