Albion Rovers 2 v 2 Elgin City

Attendance : 273

Scorers ~ Elgin City :  Vigurs (69), Napier (80).

Elgin came to Cliftonhill, a ground where they have a good record since joining the league 5 years ago which continued and the highlanders headed  north with the 3 points they required to draw level with Rovers in the table.

Martin Johnston started the action when his weak attempt crossed the Rovers goal. A failed attempt by a Rovers team-mate led to captain Scott Friel shooting high.

In 9 minutes Fraser Bremner saw his shot put out for a corner which Dickson latched onto, Ewings tipped the resulting shot over his bar for another corner which proved to be unproductive.

Rovers domination started to show when Stephen Donachy had a low header miss by a small margin. Steven Reid worked hard to get a low cross in front of the Elgin goal, unfortunately nobody was in a position to take advantage of the ball.

Jamie Ewings was brought into action in 18 minutes when he left his box to clear a dangerous ball. Then a quality move involving Gordon Lennon and Scott Friel amongst others ended disappointingly when Steven Reid's effort was somewhat lacking. Danny Black was the provider when Scott Chaplain had a shot skim past the City post.

Lennon was on hand a minute later to cut out a Napier cross. Elgin blew a chance when Johnston shot weakly to Ewings when the sensible ball would have gone to a colleague waiting unmarked to the side of the goal.

A jinking run by Reid evaded a defender to get an unsuccessful shot in from a tight angle, McGhee then blasted the ball over the visitors bar. Young put the ball through to Donachy but in the Elgin box and unbelievably his sot rebounded off the post in 37 minutes.

Phil Reid had a go for Elgin but his shot bounced past Ewings post much to the relief of Rovers fans, then, a Scott Chaplain free-kick into the penalty area was put past by Danny Black. Nelson was the instigator of the last action of note in the first period when his free-kick whizzed cross Rovers goal and out.

Half-Time

After having almost complete control of the first half without anything to show for it Rovers fans were hopeful for their sides chances in the 2nd 45 minutes. Black was first to shoot but it didn't trouble Renton, before Friel then had a typically strong free-kick which Chaplain hit to the City 'keeper.

In the 56 minutes Elgin managed to a rare move upfield with Bremner finding himself facing Jamie Ewings who did well to block. The ball went high into the air and Martin Bonar felt the need to use his hand to clear the ball off the line. As the officials deliberated as to whether the ball had already crossed the line everybody held their breath. It was decided the ball hadn't gone over the line and Bonnar was given his marching orders. Dickson stepped up to blooter the ball over the bar from the penalty spot.

Undaunted by being reduced to 10 men Donachy went on a run ending in a shot which seemed in but in fact had trickled past the Elgin post. Steven Reid then went on a run of his own evading the defence and putting the ball across the goal, marginally off target.

Gordon Lennon had two goes to clear a ball on the edge of Rovers box and managed it with an attacker breathing down his neck at the time.

A weak Johnston shot was easily stopped before Elgin grabbed the lead when Iain Vigurs side-stepped the defence on the edge of Rovers box to slip the ball into the net.

A disappointing Lennon shot preceded Scott Friel running up the wing to fire the ball across the front of Elgin's goal, unfortunately there was nobody there to take advantage.

In 80 minutes a farcical attempt by substitute Melrose dropped to Paul Napier on the edge of Rovers area, he made no such mistake firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net.

Donachy then tried to pull one back for Rovers but it was just off target. The dying seconds saw Ewings hold a Melrose attempt at the 2nd attempt. The last move of the match was by the home side involving a couple of corners but it ultimately failed.

Summary

Despite almost completely dominating the first half and a fair chunk of the second Rovers just couldn't put the ball in the opposition net. Rovers attentions now turn to next weeks Scottish Cup match as Partick Thistle shall no doubt prove tough opponents but by no means invincible!

Albion Rovers : Ewings, Black (Sichi 80), McGhee, Lennon, Donnelly, Friel, Reid, Chaplain, Young (Lennox 71), Bonnar, Donachy. Subs Not Used : Noble, Selkirk, Creer.

Elgin City : Renton, Cumming, Vigurs, Scullion, Dickson, Hind, Bremner, Reid (Melrose 69), Johnston, Nelson, Napier (Jack 83). Subs Not Used : Kelly, Ralph, McKenzie.

Referee : Jamie Downie

Man of the Match : Scott Friel

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