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Albion Rovers 0 v 2 Berwick Rangers |  |
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Albion Rovers 0 v 2 Berwick Rangers | |
| Bell's League Third Division 24th September 2005 |
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Attendance : 307
Scorers ~ Berwick Rangers : McGroarty (41), Hutchison (86).
It wasn't going to be easy for Albion Rovers when leaders Berwick Rangers visited Cliftonhill with a 6 wins from 6 league matches record to extend. In the end they were far from impressive but ground out a victory none the less.
Rovers almost started with a goal when George Wallace crossed from close to the corner for Donachy who was leaning back resulting in his shot being given too much elevation.
The visitors then had the upper hand for a few minutes with Mark Cowan having a back-header gathered by Jamie Ewings. Then a poor shot by Little missed the target and only a quality tackle by Scott Friel on the edge of his box prevented another clear chance.
Stephen Reid was next to have a go when he got onto the end of a long ball into the Berwick box, 'keeper Coyle was also there however and the ball bounced off his legs to safety. A Hutchison shot which was too high for Berwick was followed by a Chisholm corner to Wallace, unfortunately the shot was into the 'keepers arms at the near post [Picture A].
A McLeish free-kick from 30 yards which was far too high for the visitors was followed by a Friel miss-kick which didn't trouble Coyle. Murie and Cowan both failed to hit the Rovers net before the Borderers took the lead in 41 minutes. Robbie Arthur managed to avoid the defence with his pass to the unmarked Chris McGroarty who slipped the ball into the net.
Just before the half-time whistle Berwick captain David Murie went on a marauding run combining with McLeish but his final shot was off target.
Half-Time
The first shot of the second period came for Berwick when Jay Shields fired a free-kick from 30 yards, the destination of which is perhaps best forgotten. Ian Little had a shot dribble past the post before Reid tried to hit back for Rovers when his glancing header following a corner went wide of the far post.
In 56 minutes Kevin Haynes looked certain to score after a run up the near wing which left just Ewings who was in no-man's-land to beat. The hitman flighted his shot over the Rovers 'keeper but past the far post.
Another clear opportunity for Berwick fell to Ian Little when he had a free header from 8 yards out form goal but it was too high. Shortly afterwards he was once more in possession of the ball and unleashed a shot from 25 yards which Jamie Ewing stretched to catch.
In 84 minutes substitute Selkirk put in a cross with pinpoint accuracy to Iain Chisholm who could easily have grabbed an equaliser for Rovers but instead he shot wide from an unmarked position. Seconds later Gareth Hutchison latched onto a bobbling ball and then spanked it past Ewings from 25 yards to ensure the 3 points go back to England.
On the 90 minute mark Gordon Lennon blocked a Greenhill shot to keep the scoreline 2 - 0. Hutchison and Haynes of the visitors were the only players booked by Mr. Norris.
Summary
A less than impressive performance from the league leaders in a match which could have gone Rovers way had they taken the excellent chances they created.
Albion Rovers : Ewings, Friel, McGhee, O'Neil (Noble 86), Lennon, Bonnar, Chisholm, Donnelly, Reid (Franch 72), Wallace, Donachy (Selkirk 83). Subs Not Used : Mathie, Quinn.
Berwick Rangers : Coyle, Murie, McGroarty, McNicoll, Cowan, Shields (Greenhill 74), Arthur, McLeish (McGarty 88), Hutchison, Haynes (Gordon 74), Little. Subs Not Used : Da Silva, O'Connor.
Referee : Euan Norris
Man of the Match : George Wallace
