Peterhead 4 v 1 Albion Rovers

Pics to follow (honest!)

Attendance : 729

Scorers ~  : Peterhead : Raeside (33), Michie (44, 52), McGowan (o.g. 67). Albion Rovers : Bradford (pen 48).

Albion Rovers travelled north to face league leaders Peterhead, the only team in Scotland to have remained unbeaten this season. As Rovers haven't won an away match in the league it was a tall task that awaited them.. After scoring a brace in the defeat against Gretna the previous week John Bradford gained a starting place and fellow striker Mark Yardley started on the bench after bagging a couple himself in a reserve match.

Within seconds of the kick-off Rovers were on the attack and a Scott Crabbe corner went to Jered Stirling in the middle of the home goal. He took some time to control the ball but his shot was wide of the mark. A few minutes later Rovers came close once more when a McKenzie cross was met with a McLaren header but 'keeper Mathers prevented a goal.

McLaren came close once more when his cross cum shot hit the junction of the bar and post. Peterhead's first chance of note came from Keith Gibson, the midfielder sending a snap shot wide of goal. Martin Bavidge had his efforts in Rovers box foiled by Jamie McGowan then Jered Stirling then had a low shot held by the home 'keeper.

By now the tide was visibly turning towards the Blue Toon, Scott Michie passed to the off-balance Bavidge who launched the ball over the crossbar. In 33 minutes Peterhead capitalised on their pressure, Scott Robertson gave the ball to Robert Raeside who evaded a couple of defenders to scramble the ball into the net.

Only an excellent Peat save prevented the home side doubling their lead 2 minutes later when a quality strike from 25 yards by Jamie Buchan whizzed goalward. Peterhead were still pushing forward and Michie provided the ball to Bavidge a yard from goal, the resulting shot was weak and didn't unduly trouble Mark Peat.

With a minute of the first half remaining Bavidge turned provider to Michie who had no trouble slotting home from close range.

Second Half

At half time Cliftonhill gaffer Kevin McAllister brought on striker Mark Yardley and midfielder Ricky Patrick to try and regain some ground. Within 3 minutes of the restart Rovers did reduce the deficit.  Scorer Robert Raeside brought down Mark Yardley in the box and John Bradford stepped up to convert the spot kick.

Rovers fans has only 4 minutes of lifted spirits as Peterhead regained their 2 goal lead, Scott Michie lashing home a Robertson cross. The relentless Blue Toon onslaught continued with a David Hagan pass being struck by at goal by Bavidge, luckily for the Coatbridge side Mark Peat managed to tip the ball over his crossbar.

Tully was next up when his strong header following a Robertson pass looked in all the way but instead managed to sneak past the post. Bavidge then blasted the ball past the post from a Buchan cross.

Rovers made a rare foray upfield when Scott Crabbe took advantage of a defensive mix-up to hit a well-judged effort from the edge of the home box, Mathers was on hand to save the strong shot. Next Peat was called on once more when he held a curling Gibson shot.

The scoring was concluded in 67 minutes when a Michie shot was deflected into Rovers goal, Jamie McGowan was the unfortunate player to be "credited" with the goal.

Michie had a weak shot saved by Peat before another piece of sustained Peterhead pressure saw a Danny Black tackle delay an attack. The ball broke to Gibson but Black was in the way once more when the shot was made and then Bavidge got in on the act only to see Peat stop his strike.

A long ball by Chris Silvestro almost found its way to Paul McManus on the edge of the home box but 2 defenders cleared the danger. There were a couple of poor Peterhead efforts and then the last action of note took place in 84 minutes when Gibson blasted the ball inches over the Rovers goal.

Scott Crabbe was the only player to receive a booking during the game.

Summary

For the second match in a row Albion Rovers started well and seemed to collapse after around the half-hour mark.

Peterhead : Mathers, Tully, Youngson, Raeside, Perry, Gibson, Robertson (Stewart 65), Buchan, Michie, Bavidge, Hagen (Linn 68). Subs not used - Campbell, McSkimming, Buchanan.

Albion Rovers : Peat, Paterson, Stirling, Black, McGowan, McLaren (Patrick 46), McKenzie (Yardley 46), Silvestro, Crabbe (Boyle 83), McManus, Bradford. Subs not used - Selkirk, Fahey.

Referee : Alan Freeland

Man of the Match - None

Fixtures/Results/Reports/Pics

Home  Latest  League Table