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Albion Rovers 2 v 6 Gretna |  |
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Albion Rovers 2 v 6 Gretna | |
| Bell's League Third Division 23rd October 2004 |
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Attendance : 326
Scorer ~ Albion Rovers : Bradford (74, 81). Gretna : Bingham (32, 71), McQuilken (51), Birch (59), Skelton (67), Wake (83).
Chris Silvestro and Jamie McGowan returned to the Rovers team following injury. Having scored 8 the previous week Gretna came to Cliftonhill on a high and for the second time this season bagged 6 goals against Albion Rovers.
Within 60 seconds of the kick-off Gretna showed their keenness to score, Ryan McGuffie having his shot from 6 yards saved by Peat. Rovers first decent attempt on the visitors goal came in 9 minutes when a Scott Crabbe free-kick from 30 yards was well saved by 'keeper Mathieson. Ryan Baldacchino Tried his luck from 20 yards, once more Mark Peat was on hand to prevent a goal.
Veteran defender Davie Irons provided a well judged cross to Kenny Deuchar on the 6 yard line but the strikers header was wide of the goal. Play switched to the other end and a defensive mix-up gave the ball to Paul McManus whose shot from just inside the Gretna box was intercepted by 'keeper Mathieson's foot.
On the half hour mark Kenny Deuchar's shot from 20 yards was inches too high and a minute later he had a header tipped over the bar by Peat. In 32 minutes Gretna capitalised on their pressure when David Bingham headed home from close range.
McGuffie had his header and Deuchar had his shot saved by Peat before Rovers mounted a concerted attack. Crabbe and McManus combined in the move which disappointingly caused the opposition defence no real trouble.
Gilfillan had a strong shot go straight into the arms of the waiting Peat and Deuchar shot high before the referee blew for half-time.
Second Half
A failed header back to his 'keeper by Irons over Paul McManus gave the Coatbridge striker an unexpected opportunity but he couldn't quite get a hold of the ball.
In 51 minutes Gretna scored again when McQuilken was given the ball by Bingham then stepped past a couple of defenders to put the ball into the net. Gavin Skelton was next to have a go nipping past 2 defenders to shoot wide of the target.
In 59 minutes it was 3-0 for the visitors when Mark Birch skelped the ball from the edge of the Rovers box into the top right hand corner of the net giving Peat no chance. Marc McKenzie tried to pull one back for Rovers but his shot along the ground from 30 yards was well past the post.
Mark Peat was called into action once more when Baldacchino passed the ball for Deuchar to shoot. Skelton crossed the ball into the goalmouth where 3 Gretna players were waiting but McGuffie managed to head over the bar when it seemed easier to score.
Seconds later Gretna made it 4, Peat and Bingham tangled to the side of the box, Deuchar had a poor shot which fell to Skelton who made no mistake.
In 71 minutes it was 5 when David Bingham lobbed the ball over Peat.
A minute later Cliftonhill gaffer Kevin McAllister made 3 substitutions with Peterson, Selkirk and Bradford all coming on, Gretna boss Rowan Alexander made one change at the same time.
Within a minute of coming on John Bradford pulled one back for Rovers when he scored from a fairly narrow angle. Danny Black missed with a header before in 81 minutes John Bradford claimed his second goal by heading a Jered Stirling cross into the net at the post to make it 5 - 2.
Just 2 minutes later Gretna substitute Brian Wake concluded the scoring when he received the ball while unmarked and had no difficulty slotting the ball into the net.
Wake had a low shot easily stopped by Peat and Bradford had a half-hearted penalty claim ignored by Mr. Boyle before full-time.
Summary
A decent start by Rovers dissolved into a rout by the much stronger Gretna side. Rovers remain in 9th place and Gretna stay 2nd in the league. Rovers will have to do a lot better to have any chance of bringing home a point or three from league leaders Peterhead next Saturday.
Despite only coming on as a substitute in 72 minutes John Bradford's brace of goals were enough to get him the man of the match award. Marc McKenzie was the only player to be booked during the match.
Albion Rovers : Peat, Silvestro, Stirling, Black, McGowan, McLaren (Paterson 72), McKenzie, Patrick (Bradford 72), Crabbe, McManus, Boyle (Selkirk 72). Subs Not Used : Connolly, Fahey.
Gretna : Mathieson, Birch, McQuilken, Gilfillan (Lennon 72), Aitken, Irons, Baldacchino, McGuffie, Deuchar, Bingham (Wake 82), Skelton. Subs Not Used : Townsley, Cosgrove, Main.
Referee : Chris Boyle
Man of the Match - John Bradford
