 |
Arbroath 1 v 2 Albion Rovers |  |
|
Arbroath 1 v 2 Albion Rovers | |
| Bell's League Third Division 22nd October 2005 |
Attendance : 503
Scorers ~ Arbroath : Stein (28). Albion Rovers : Friel (pen 35), Wallace (68).
At the wrong end of the table Rovers travelled to Angus needing all 3 points and that's precisely what they got! Once more former Rovers players faced their old employers in 'keeper Mark Peat and defender Ian Dobbins, but were hardly noticeable.
After the "show racism the red card" demonstration from the players [Picture A] Rovers started positively although it took a few minutes for the first clear attempt at goal when Scott Friel hit a free-kick from 30 yards which Peat held [Picture B]. Rovers came close again when George Wallace challenged Peat and the 'keeper managed to punch clear [Picture C].
Iain Chisholm had a promising run up the near wing until a defender managed to get in his way and cut the ball out for a corner in 11 minutes. Then Jay Stein decided to try and get Arbroath ahead when his free-kick caused problems for Rovers defence in the box but the danger was eventually cleared.
Chisholm went on a run up the wing again and this time put in a cross just in front of the Red Lichties goal but nobody could get to it. Graham McGhee then shot past and McCulloch of the homesters did likewise at the opposite end.
In 27 minutes Arbroath had a weak penalty claim turned down when one of their men went down in the Rovers penalty area. A minute later Jay Stein scored when Brazil and McCulloch created an opportunity for him to put the ball over Ewings [Picture D].
Scott Friel was next to impress when his overhead kick from a Wallace pass was just too high [Picture E]. Shortly afterwards Rovers were (thanks to the intervention of the standside assistant referee) awarded a penalty when Steven Cook handled a Wallace shot in the penalty area. Captain Scott Friel skelped the ball low into the net [Picture F].
Arbroath were spurred on by the equaliser and Pat Clarke on loan from Raith had an excellent run up the wing and pinpoint cross to the head of Brazil who put it over. Danny Black then picked up a yellow card for a foul which was to prove important later on.
In 40 minutes Arbroath had a strong penalty claim waved away by Mr. Muir and within 60 seconds another much weaker claim was also denied when Cook went down in the box.
A through ball to Clarke gave the striker a shot at goal which came off the extended legs of Jamie Ewings much to the relief of the travelling support. A last gasp first half opportunity for Arbroath came when Clarke got onto the end of a long ball and headed it goalwards over Ewings but it was cleared in the nick of time with a Arbroath man waiting to help it in.
Half-Time
Brazil didn't live up to his name when he hoofed a ball high over Rovers goal despite being well placed to take advantage. The home side were on the attack once more when a long ball found McCulloch who advanced down the wing towards Rovers goal. A disappointing shot ended in the arms of the grateful Ewings.
The Angus side were well in control now and McCulloch failed to convert a chance instead hitting the ball over the crossbar. Goalscorer Stein then hit a screamer of a shot from the side which skimmed over the bar. Shortly afterwards the same man was booked for a blatant dive on the edge of Rovers penalty box.
It was Stein again causing problems for Rovers when he hit a 30 yard free-kick into Ewings arms. Next Rovers had a go and George Wallace was the man to do it but his efforts were thwarted just inside the home box by Davidson.
In 66 minutes it looked bad for Rovers when defender Danny Black picked up his second yellow card for a foul on an attacker on the edge of Rovers box.
A Cook free-kick didn't trouble Ewings unduly and seemingly within the blink of an eye Rovers grabbed the lead. George Wallace outwitting the defence and dribbling the ball low into the net.
Brazil and Stein both failed with assaults on goal before Chisholm brilliantly intercepted McCulloch just as he was about to strike the ball from 12 yards.
Donachy made space to shoot after a run upfield but he gave the ball too much elevation before a corner by Stein found its mark but the resulting shot dribbled past Rovers post.
Frustration started to show and tempers were rather frayed with McMullen receiving a yellow card for shoving a Rovers player who he perceived had failed to retreat quickly enough. Wallace was soon after booked for persistent fouling. More handbags at dawn disagreements followed as the game drew near a close.
McGhee had a free-kick held just under the Arbroath crossbar before play switched ends, a Stein corner being missed by Ewings before being eventually cleared after a brief period resembling pinball. Late substitutions by Jim Chapman preceded a long ball into Rovers box being missed completely by the waiting Clarke.
The match ended with perceived time wasting causing Cook to harangue Cliftonhill gaffer Jim Chapman who had the ball when the midfielder wanted to take a throw-in which the referee eventually decided wasn't a throw-in after all.
Summary
An impassioned display by Rovers epitomised by Gordon Lennon punching the air as he went down the Gayfield tunnel.
Arbroath : Peat, McMullen, Black (Watson 68), Bishop, Dobbins, McCulloch, Kirk, Davidson (Warren 84), Brazil, Clark, Stein. Subs Not
Used : Jackson, Rennie, Inglis.
Albion Rovers : Ewings, Black, McGhee, Lennon, Donnelly, Friel, Chisholm (Reid 90), Chaplain, Wallace (Mathie 88), Bonnar, Donachy. Subs Not
Used : Young, Houston, Creer.
Referee : Alan Muir
Man of the Match - Scott Friel
