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Albion Rovers 2 v 0 East Fife |  |
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Albion Rovers 2 v 0 East Fife | |
| Bell's League Third Division 14th August 2004 |
The pics below are © and courtesy of Jane Knox
Click to enlarge
Attendance : 384
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : McManus (85, 87).
After the previous week's debacle at Gretna, Rovers who added Chris Silvestro to the team had a point to prove against the side who scraped past them to the 2nd promotion place just 15 months ago.
It took less than 2 minutes for Rovers to show they meant business, Mark Yardley placed a quality pass to John Bradford whose shot was stopped by the legs of Fife 'keeper John Dodds. The men from Methil got their first chance a few minutes later when Steven Tarditi headed a Herkes free-kick over the crossbar.
Rovers were in the ascendancy now and a Jered Stirling corner led to Jamie McGowan heading the ball at Dodds. Next a move initiated by Graeme McLaren moved to Mark Yardley who in turn knocked the ball to Marc McKenzie, unfortunately his shot had a bit too much altitude. Yards then had an attempt at goal himself when he turned sharply in the box to skelp the ball past the target.
Midway in the first period East Fife squandered a good chance when a Herkes cross wasn't quite perfectly placed for Fairbairn to head properly and the ball went past from 6 yards.
Rovers hit back with Yardley heading the ball to Bradford who was on the 6 yard line but the striker seemed to hesitate and his attempt came off the 'keeper. Captain Jim Mercer tried his luck with a header from close range but missed the goals.
With 10 minutes of the half remaining Tarditi had a disappointing shot held by Rovers 'keeper Peat and shortly afterwards McKenzie had a shot whizz by the visitors post.
Yardley and Stirling for Rovers and Kelly of the Fifers had attempts in the remaining time before the referee blew for half-time.
Second Half
The second period started quietly and it was 5 minutes in before anything of note occurred. Young striker Marc McKenzie went on a winding run towards goal but it ended with what amounted to a passback.
East Fife substitute Sean Paliczka was quick to show he was up for it by advancing on the Rovers goal but Jered Stirling intercepted him to clear the danger. Good build up play by McLaren was wasted when his cross into the box was missed by two home players.
In 73 minutes Mark Peat kept the scores level by diving well to tip a Greig McDonald header which seemed certain to go in over the bar following a Brian Fairburn cross.
In 76 minutes Cliftonhill boss Kevin McAllister made the substitution which was to turn the fortunes for his team. Paul McManus replaced John Bradford to a barrage of boos from the visiting support despite being their hero only a few seasons ago.
Joe Boyle missed from 30 yards and Fairburn responded for East Fife, Jered Stirling and Steven Tarditi also had unproductive efforts on their respective opponents goal before the game was transformed.
It was just 9 minutes since he came onto the pitch when Paul McManus brilliantly latched onto the end of a McKenzie through ball and smacked the ball past Dodds. With the cheering still ringing in our his he did it again, this time a Jamie McGowan free-kick from 5 yards outside the box rebounded off 'keeper Dodds and to the waiting Cliftonhill superstar.
Summary
Although they started well Rovers had lost impetus in the second half, until that is Paul McManus was sent on against his old team. Super-sub is all too often attributed to men who come off the bench and score but in this case it is certainly appropriate. Although only on for 14 minutes it seems apt to award Paul the man of the match accolade. No names were taken by Mr. Finnie during the match.
Albion Rovers : Peat, Silvestro, Stirling, Black,
McGowan, McLaren, McKenzie, Boyle, Yardley, Bradford (McManus 76), Mercer. Subs
not used - Paterson, Patrick, Crabbe, Fahey.
East Fife: Dodds, Lumsden, I. McDonald, Bain, Hall, Kelly (Byle 84), Mitchell (Paliczka 63), G. McDonald, Fairbairn, Tarditi, Herkes. Subs not used - Renwick, Brash, Morrison.
Referee : Stephen Finnie
Man of the Match - Paul McManus
