Gretna 6 v 0 Albion Rovers

 
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Attendance : 646

Scorers ~ Gretna : Bingham (21, 24), Galloway (60), Smith (72), Cosgrove (86), Deuchar (90).

Rovers headed south with an away victory to a first division team under their belts but taking nothing for granted against arguably the biggest spenders outside of the old firm. Chris Silvestro missed the match due to an unavoidable commitment.

Rovers had the first attempt on goal just a couple of minutes in. Hero of Kirkcaldy John Bradford missed the target from close range after a long defence splitting pass.

Gretna managed a shot of indifferent quality which missed the target before Danny Black denied former Airdrieonians striker Andy Smith who was in a good scoring position. A Gavin Shelton shot from 20 yards was first to test 'keeper Mark Peat but it didn't unduly trouble the stopper. Jered Stirling was on hand moments later to intercept another attack.

Rovers had a mini-revival with Marc McKenzie seeing his shot go across the goal and out of play. A Jered Stirling free-kick dropped to Mark Yardley who appeared to be held in the penalty box but the ball bounced to 'keeper Mathieson.

In 21 minutes Gretna took the lead when Andy Smith crossed the ball into the box for David Bingham who turned down a new deal with Inverness to play in the SPL to flick the ball into the net. Just 3 minutes later the favourites to win the division doubled their lead when Andy Smith's shot was put onto the post by 'keeper Mark Peat, the ball found its way to that man Bingham who blasted the ball into the roof of the Rovers net.

John Bradford tried to revive Rovers fortunes by beating the offside trap but saw his shot smothered by Mathieson. Captain Jim Mercer also tried his luck with a snap shot from 6 yards after a long pass upfield but the 'keeper was equal to the shot.

Gretna stepped up a gear once more Andy Smith heading a couple of feet over the Rovers crossbar and then he had another shot turned round the post by Peat. Ryan Baldacchino decided to get in on the act and his shot cum cross was a few yards past.

A Mark Birch shot missed by the proverbial mile before Baldacchino made Peat pull off a quality save on the stroke of half-time.

Second Half

Both sides had early attempts in the second period with Gretna captain Mick Galloway forcing Peat to save and Rovers John Bradford shooting over. Mark Yardley and Jim Mercer were booked within a minute of each other apparently for dissent.

In 60 minutes it was 3 for the homesters when Mark Peat failed to hold a Baldacchino cross allowing Bingham to knock the ball to Mick Galloway who blasted the ball into the back of the net. A few minutes later a series of one-two's between Smith and Bingham was squandered as it approached goal.

Kevin McAllister made a last throw of the dice by replacing McKenzie and Boyle with McManus and Patrick. Graeme McLaren tried his luck from 25 yards but Mathieson prevented a goal. In 72 minutes it was 4 when Smith laid the ball off to Bingham who put the ball past Peat.

Gretna were decidedly in charge now and substitute Kenny Deuchar shot over, Ryan Baldacchino missing by inches and Mark Birch forcing a save from minutes Peat. Former East Fife hitman Deuchar tried a header which was turned out for an unproductive corner.

In 86 minutes things went from bad to worse for Rovers when a Deuchar pass was struck low and hard into the net by Stephen Cosgrove. A McManus/Mercer move ended without a shot and was quickly followed by the 6th and final goal of the match. Deuchar jinked past a few players in the Gretna box before putting the ball past Peat from about 12 yards.

Summary

Perhaps it was too much to expect a Rovers win away to the team able to offer £100,000 fees and wages in the region of £1000 per week but they'll need to tighten up the defence to have any chance of claiming (what many would assume the best achievable) second place.

Gretna : Mathieson, Birch, Skelton, Prokas (McGuffie 75), Aitken, Holdsworth, Baldacchino, Galloway, Smith (Deuchar 72), Bingham, Townsley (Cosgrove 79). Subs not used – Gordon, Summersgill.

Albion Rovers : Peat, Paterson, Stirling, Black, McGowan, McLaren, McKenzie (Patrick 67), Boyle (McManus 67), Yardley, Bradford, Mercer. Subs not used – Connolly, McCaul, Fahey.

Referee : Martin Sproule

Man of the Match - None

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