Arbroath 1 v 0 Albion Rovers

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Attendance : 563

Scorers ~ Arbroath : Taylor (40).

The Angus side went into this match needing all 3 points to keep their slim hope of a play-off place alive and they did so although in a far from convincing manner.

Lee Sichi was first to show willing when he ran goalward putting in a tight cross along the goal-line but there was nobody in a position to take advantage of the ball on its arrival. A ball from the corner area gave The Red Lichties' Swankie an opportunity, his low shot was turned out for a corner by Gary McGlynn. The resulting corner saw former Rover Ian Dobbins head over the bar.

Scott Chaplain did well to advance downfield providing Danny Black with the ball only for him to shoot straight at the Arbroath 'keeper. Jay Stein firing a 30 yard free-kick which slipped past the Rovers goalpost followed soon after. Some slack defending by Rovers led to Gavin Swankie looking a severe danger to the status quo but Gordon Lennon slipped in to take the ball out of harms way.

Ciaran Donnelly was the man who chose to hit a free-kick from 25 yards out from the home sides goal, the ball rounded the assembled wall but Neil Inglis had little trouble catching the ball.

McGlynn was called into action again when Scott Taylor made him work hard to save a shot after Noble had given the ball away. A long ball seemed destined for Swankie in a dangerous position when Gordon Lennon cut it out before it reached the hitman. A long ball by Arbroath caught McGhee playing Swankie onside, only for that man Lennon to avert danger once more. 

Around this time Rovers stopper Gary McGlynn picked up a knock sending the sub 'keeper Quinn into a full warm-up session, but it was decided he'd carry on and see if he could run it off. An attempted overhead kick by George Wallace trickled towards Lee Sichi who put the ball into the net but was adjudged offside.

In 40 minutes Arbroath grabbed the lead when Gavin Swankie swung in a corner which was headed on by Rennie for Scott Taylor to head home although despite the suspicion of a foul along the way.

Half-Time

At the interval 'keeper Mark Quinn who had only gained a place on the bench as Jamie Ewings is out injured made his debut for the first team. Within seconds of the restart McGhee blasted a free-kick well over the Lichties goal from 25 yards.

Quinn didn't have long to wait before being called into action tipping a high ball away only to chase after it. A rare faux pas by Lennon saw his attempted clearance bounce off the advancing attacker and luckily towards Quinn who took charge of the ball.

George Wallace then decided to attack the homesters goal, his run ending with a pass to Sichi and the ball going out. A Swankie shot failed before Taylor caused confusion when Quinn miskicked a passback which came off the striker, not realising he could now pick up the ball the young 'keeper skelped it out for a throw-in.

Jon Voigt was over ambitious in 70 minutes when he tried a reverse kick, missing it completely. At the other end of the pitch George Wallace turned quickly to lose a weak shot straight to the 'keeper.

Lennon failing to properly clear a ball gave Swankie a shot which Quinn was equal too. Danny Black pumped in a long crossed ball from the nearside resulting in Inglis tipping it over his crossbar. The corner saw the ball dribble about within the 6 yard box for what seemed like an age causing a stramash as both sides tried to get it, eventually the home side cleared the danger.

With a minute remaining Arbroath blew an excellent chance to score. Although a suspicion of offside Voigt crossed the ball across an empty Rovers goal for Swankie to hit off the post without any pressure being applied to him.

Reilly of Arbroath received the only booking of the match.

Summary

A scrappy game in which Gordon Lennon shone despite some minor hiccups. On this form Arbroath shall still be competing in the 3rd division next season. The match was somewhat marred by odd decisions by officials, especially the assistants to Mr. Brown who is the son of the embattled East Fife Derrick Brown.

Arbroath : Inglis, Rennie, McCulloch, Raeside, Dobbins, Bishop, Black, Reilly (Miller 67), Taylor (Voigt 62), Swankie (Henderson 90), Stein. Subs Not Used : Masson, Cargill.

Albion Rovers : McGlynn (Quinn 46), Black, McGhee, Lennon, Donnelly, Friel, Sichi (Sim 72), Chaplain, Wallace, Bonnar, Noble (Reid 60). Subs Not Used : Young, Abou Beaker.

Referee : Colin Brown

Man of the Match - Gordon Lennon

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