Albion Rovers 0 v 3 Airdrie United

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A wee turn of skill by a Rovers player

A Rovers goalward free-kick

Attendance : 356

Scorers ~ Airdrie United : Dunn (21), Twigg (47, 70).

For the second time in three day Jim Chapman's new boys took on 1st division opposition - this time it was near neighbours Airdrie United. Once again the vast ranks of the home side were listed as trialist as a precaution that the registration paperwork may not yet be formalised.

Rovers started in a positive manner with numbers 3 and 10 combining to assault the United goal, the resulting shot glancing off a defender for an unproductive corner. Shortly afterwards a corner by Rovers number 3 was high into the United box, 'keeper Samson punched it high into the air and it eventually went out for another corner.

Airdrie were coming more into the game now and in 11 minutes Brian McPhee who had been running goalward was dispossessed of the ball by outrushing Jamie Ewings. A strong free-kick from 30 yards by Rovers number 11 didn't unduly trouble the Airdrie stopper.

Willie McLaren failing to score with a shot preceded the opener in 21 minutes when David Dunn smacked the ball high into Rovers net at the near post after a well-judged cross came his way, Ewings had no chance to prevent it.

Rovers number 10 tried his luck from distance but missed the target, then Dunn worked hard in front of Rovers goal to find an opening before loosing a shot which brought off a diving save by Ewings. Next it was Rovers number 7 to try his luck with a looping header straight to Samson.

Rovers number 5 prevented a dangerous situation in 39 minutes when he twice tackled McLaren close to Rovers penalty area. The last action of the half came from the same man when his shot cannoned of the Rovers goalpost.

Second Half

A couple of substitutions by Sandy Stewart heralded the second period which bust into life 2 minutes later. United's second goal came when Gary Twigg put the ball across the goal to the near post where Willie McLaren was waiting to put a header in to the net.

Immediately Jim Chapman brought on 5 substitutes. Little happened until 55 minutes when one of Rovers substitutes got onto the end of a cross on the edge of the visitors penalty area, unfortunately he was leaning back as he shot. The ball was given too much altitude and the rest is history.

Just a minute later Airdrie hit back when Brian McPhee worked well to put in a quality cross which an unidentified (by me anyway) attacker miskicked the ball. Rovers sub number 17 hit a good shot from a wide angle which was saved by replacement 'keeper Lee Hollis, and a follow-up shot narrowly missed it's intended destination.

A decent save by Ewings was followed by some substitutions by both sides and then the scoring was completed. Gary Twigg was again on hand when he turned quickly at the edge of the box and picked his spot well after McKeown had supplied the pass.

McPhee (as has become traditional over the years) continued to trouble Rovers defence shooting over before his team-mate Twigg curled a shot round the Rovers post. McPhee came close once more when a overhead scissors-kick came off the post and a few minutes later he missed with what seemed like a very header when substitute McDougal had provided the opportunity.

Summary

Although Rovers could have lost by a larger margin it has to be remembered that United are a full-time first division side who are mostly used to playing together. Rovers looked good for a couple of spells during the game and there are signs that players are gelling.

Albion Rovers : Ewings, Lennox, 3-11 all trialists! Subs  : All trialists.

Airdrie United : Samson, Coyle, McGowan, McManus, McKenna, Docherty, Dunn, McKeown, Roberts, McPhee, McLaren. Subs : McColl, Twigg, Hollis, McDougal and others!

Referee : Derek Nichols 

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