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Peterhead 2 v 3 Albion Rovers |  |
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Peterhead 2 v 3 Albion Rovers | |
| Bell's League Third Division 12th March 2005 |
Attendance : 532
Scorers ~ : Peterhead : Raeside (65), Stewart (90). Albion Rovers : Gordon (46), McCaul (78), Fleming (84).
Peterhead, promoted just four days previously were applauded onto the pitch by a Rovers side missing Messrs. Mercer and Bradford. Rovers then proceeded in the following 90 minutes and 4 different types of weather with constant wind to be the first league visitors to leave with all 3 points! 21 year old Darran Thomson who was released by Inverness Caledonian Thistle started as a trialist.
A poor crowd even at the "official" figure of 532 had 4 minutes to wait for Peterhead to attack the Rovers goal with the aid of the gales but the ball was cleared off the goal-line by an unidentified defender.
In 18 minutes a low shot by David Hagan from 30 yards was saved by Peat who held onto the number 1 jersey as Chris Fahey wasn't quite fit enough to start the match. Jamie Buchan combined with Craig Campbell with the latter having his shot stopped by an excellent Peat parry, Martin Bavidge had a go with the rebound to no avail.
Bobby Linn was next to cause the Rovers defence problems when he crossed the ball to Campbell who was waiting in front of the Rovers goal with only Mark Peat close, he managed to miss the target by 10 yards. Peterhead's domination was in evidence shortly afterwards when Campbell once more found himself in space but shot straight at the advancing Peat.
In 34 minutes Craig Tully gifted the ball to Lee Wilson with a weak passback intended for his 'keeper. Unfortunately for Rovers 'keeper Mathers was out quickly and Wilson tumbled over the prostrate stopper. Rovers were in the ascendancy when a Jered Stirling corner was knocked on by Friel for Wilson to crack a shot at the home goal, it was matched by an equally good save.
The last action of the half came when David Hagan shot diagonally across Rovers goal only for the ball to go out of play at the other side of the sticks when it seemed easier to at least hit the target.
Half-Time
Straight from kick-off of the second period Rovers surged forward with some assistance from the prevailing wind, Wayne Gordon had a cross cum shot from the vicinity of the corner flag. The ball avoided 'keeper Mathers and went into the goal with 12 seconds elapsed.
In 55 minutes Gordon was on the wing to the side of the Peterhead box when Mathers came out to clear the ball straight to Ricky Patrick 30 yards out. The Rovers youngster aimed a shot at the empty net but missed by a fair margin much to the relief of the Blue Toon.
In 65 minutes Peterhead drew level when Robbie Raeside rose to head a Hagan corner past the scrambling Mark Peat into the Rovers net. Youngson and Hagan both had their shots saved by Peat shortly afterwards as the Rovers defence failed to clear the ball.
In 70 minutes Lee Wilson hobbled off to be replaced by Gary Fleming. Kerr Potter was well placed to clear a Linn shot off the line which was followed by Chris Silvestro leaving the park to be replaced by Gary Richardson.
Stirling tried a trademark free-kick from 35 yards which avoided the Peterhead wall but didn't unduly trouble Mathers. In 78 minutes Rovers regained the lead when Graeme McCaul's shot came off Mathers and before anybody else could react McCaul hit the rebound into the net.
Rovers made it 3 with 6 minutes remaining, substitute Fleming shot low under Mathers from the edge of the box. The homesters weren't happy a few minutes later when no penalty was awarded for Allan Youngson who seemed to dive over a Rovers defender. This led to his team-mate Gibson being booked for complaining.
Two minutes into injury time Graeme Stewart bagged a consolation goal when he hit the ball into the corner of the net after Buchan's low shot had been turned away by Peat.
Summary
A tough match for Rovers, battling a promoted team and the weather but they triumphed against all the odds. This match may well have killed any chance that Peterhead had of wresting the title pole position from Gretna.
Peterhead : Mathers, Tully, Youngson (Stewart 77), Raeside, Perry, Gibson, Campbell (Michie 61), Buchan, Bavidge,
Linn, Hagen (Cameron 89). Subs Not Used : McSkimming, Thompson.
Albion Rovers : Peat, Friel, Thomson, Black, Silvestro (Richardson 73), Potter, Patrick, Stirling, Wilson (Fleming 70), Gordon (McKenzie
90), McCaul. Subs Not Used : Wallace, Fahey.
Referee : Craig MacKay
Man of the Match - Wayne Gordon