East Stirlingshire 0 v 2 Albion Rovers

Attendance : 204

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Wilson (12, 80).

Albion Rovers long run of unbeaten away matches which started in November continued against bottom dogs East Stirlingshire. This win by Rovers guaranteed the Falkirk side the wooden spoon - freeing Jimmy Lindsay and his boys to concentrate on teams above rather than below as the season draws to a close.

It was the visitors who started brightly as evidenced by Wayne Gordon's 5th minute strike which was heading for the "postage stamp" until 'keeper Jackson pulled off a quality save.

In 12 minutes Rovers took the lead when a Jackson clearance went straight to Lee Wilson who gratefully accepted the opportunity to skelp the ball into the 'Shire net.

The home side tried to hit back with a long Johnny Walker free-kick into the box leading to a poor header at Rovers goal. Paul Tyrrell then put the ball across the goal inviting headers which didn't appear.

Wayne Gordon went on a run goalward and was flagged offside as Lee Wilson was in such a position but not interfering with play, referee Cassidy realised this and allowed play to continue. Unfortunately for Rovers the shot came off the post and out.

Chris McGroarty was the recipient when the ball broke loose midway in the Rovers half of the pitch, he outpaced the defence but failed to get his shot on target with Fahey off his line.

Lee Wilson had a shot saved by Jackson which was soon followed by Paul Tyrrell heading a Walker corner straight to Chris Fahey. An off-target overhead kick by Paul Tyrrell and shots by Friel and Selkirk which were saved by the 'Shire stopper concluded the first half.

Half-Time

Then second period commenced with a strong Sean McInulty shot going past the East Stirlingshire post. Derek Ure shot high and wide shortly before a Wilson back heel to McKenzie created a chance which was ultimately wasted.

'Shire tried to hit back and a failed Livingstone shot preceded a move in which poor Rovers defending forced Fahey to come out and clear the ball. Lee Wilson tried his luck from a tight angle ad the ball went across the goal and out. Friel then had a strong free-kick miss the target.

Rovers were now dominant and Wilson jinked in and out a few times and put the ball past Jackson into the 'Shire net in 80 minutes. Rovers tried to go further ahead when Scott Friel crossed for substitute Ian Douglas who was 5 yards from goal but the shot was slightly wide of the target.

A strong but high Wilson shot followed by a well worked 'Shire move which ended in a cross cum shot being held by Fahey ended the match.

There were no names taken by Mr. Cassidy during the game.

Summary

Perhaps it was appropriate that East Stirlingshire's sponsor was paying half of the entry fee at this match as it certainly wasn't worth the full amount. Pity the busload of West Bromwich Albion fans who travelled north to see 'Shire in this game.

East Stirlingshire : Jackson, Mark Tyrrell, Livingstone, MacKay, Oates, McGhee, Ross (Rae 68), Walker, Ure, Paul Tyrrell, McGroarty. Subs Not Used: Denham, Findlay, Baldwin, Mitchell.

Albion Rovers : Fahey, Friel, McInulty, Black, Patrick, Stirling, McKenzie, Silvestro, Gordon (Douglas 79), Wilson, Selkirk. Subs Not Used: Potter, McCaul, Wallace, Carr. 

Referee : Brian Cassidy

Man of the Match - Lee Wilson

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