Stenhousemuir 1 v 1 Albion Rovers

Attendance : 391

Scorers ~ Stenhousemuir : McBride (90). Albion Rovers : Miller (46).

Rovers kept their record of being unbeaten away from home in 2005 but would have won had it not been for a goal deep into injury time just a fortnight after such a late goal lost them a home game.

A disappointing Graeme McCaul shot opened the game and was soon followed by an equally disappointing Tommy Sinclair effort for the home side. Poor defending by Rovers gave David McInally an undeserved opportunity but his shot was blocked and Marc McKenzie took the ball upfield. A minute later the same poor defending gave McInally another chance which was saved by Mark Peat.

A Ricky Patrick shot was easily saved by Warrior's 'keeper Kirkham before play switched ends and Sinclair made space and unleashed a shot which was a couple of feet to high. Almost immediately afterwards McKenzie put a cross into the Stenhousemuir box which Greig McCulloch and Steven McGregor almost turned into their own net.

Lee Wilson made his presence felt when he went on a jinking run and had a shot on target which Kirkham made a meal of but managed to stop it. McGrillen and McGregor of Stenny and Jim Mercer of Rovers had failed attempts come close before Lee Wilson latched onto an awkward ball 10 yards from goal in a packed box but it was wide of the target.

Paul McGrillen hit the side-netting after McInally who had enjoyed far too much space from a Rovers point of view throughout the match supplied the ball.

Second Half

For the second match in a row Albion Rovers started the second period with a bang, this time taking 30 seconds to hit the net. McKenzie crossed to Jim Mercer who flicked the ball on for Lee Wilson to head over 'keeper Kirkham from six yards.

Gordon shot past before a Wilson cross to Patrick 15 yards from goal which resulted in a complete miskick. Scott Friel was next to advance upfield and his strong drive at the end of it was saved by the Warrior's 'keeper who got down quickly.

McInally almost scored an own-goal when his header was saved by Kirkham. Rovers fans got a fright a minute later when a defender headed the ball back to Peat advancing out of his box, he managed to head the ball to safety.

In 71 minutes with the now traditional 11 men defence at an opposition corner Rovers were fortunate when McGregor rose to head past the post. Jered Stirling hit a free-kick which made Kirkham fumble the ball but see the ball go out.

With some home fans already having departed Ochilview and all eyes on referee Hardie Mark Peat decided to unnecessarily come to the edge of his box to punch clear a high ball in the midst of a glut of players. Inevitably the ball fell to John Paul McBride who launched the ball goalward from 25 yards past the hastily retreating 'keeper.

The last action of the match was immediately after the restart when Jered Stirling launched a shot from 50 yards which didn't miss it's intended target by much.

Summary

Rovers dominated this match and should have left with all 3 points.

Stenhousemuir : Kirkham, Menzies, McInally, Greig McCulloch, Smith, McGregor (Easton 72), Struthers (Lauchlan 51), Sinclair, Kerrigan (Murphy 61), McBride, McGrillen. Subs Not Used : Morrison, Willie McCulloch.

Albion Rovers : Peat, Friel, Thomson, Potter, McCaul (Richardson 81), Stirling, McKenzie, Patrick, Wilson, Gordon, Mercer. Subs Not Used : Fleming, Black, McInulty, Fahey. 

Referee : Colin Hardie

Man of the Match - Jered Stirling

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