East Stirlingshire 3 v 1 Albion Rovers

Attendance : 245

Scorers ~ East Stirlingshire : Diack (13 Pen., 19), Brand (69). Albion Rovers : MacKay (74 o.g.).

Rovers went to Firs Park, Falkirk having gone unbeaten against the perennial bottom dogs in the previous 15 matches. This time it was East Stirling who had the upper hand, simultaneously sending Rovers to the nether regions of the third division.

The match started in bright sunshine [Picture A] with the now ominous news that the opposition contain former Rovers players in their line-up. Ally Graham who played alongside Rovers gaffer Jim Chapman in the championship winning side of 1988-89, Iain Diack who left Cliftonhill under suspicious circumstances and Jordan Smith. Rovers featured new signing Scott Chaplain formerly of Ayr United who started on the bench.

Rovers looked up for it from the start with a cross from the vicinity of the corner to George Wallace just a few yards out resulting in a disappointing shot to 'keeper Jackson. Shortly afterwards Gordon Lennon went on a mazy run goalward which also ended with a less than perfect shot at Jackson.

'Shire came into the game in 7 minutes when Jamie Ewings was made to rise to pluck a cross from the air in front of his goal and soon after he did the same with a 'Shire corner [Picture B]. Lee Wilson came close when he swivelled and shot but it was just over the "postage stamp".

In 13 minutes a moment of madness by George Wallace gave East Stirling the lead, a high ball swung into the box and the Rovers forward jumped high with his hand even higher and clearly handled the ball. Referee McKendrick didn't feel the need to punish the 23 year-old further than awarding a penalty to the home side, up-stepped that man of many hairstyles Diack to belt the ball home [Picture C].

The next action brought another goal from Diack when he hit a screamer from 30 yards which went over the head of Ewings. Diack could have nabbed a hat-trick when a 'Shire free-kick into Rovers box just avoided the striker.

Rovers looked dangerous when a Wilson cross into the box just failed to connect with Messrs. Wallace and Donachy who were loitering with intent in the vicinity of the goal. Andy Brand could have done better when he blasted a shot to Ewings and out for a corner which resulted in a MacKay header skimming over the crossbar.

A Rovers free-kick into the homesters box created several half chances ending with Jackson catching the ball. MacKay was at it again when he lofted a free-kick towards the Rovers goal from 40 yards but Ewings was equal to it.

Iain Diack went on a run caused by an uncharacteristic Lennon mistake but the defender made amends seconds later when he caught up with the striker and dispossessed him of the ball. Poor shots by Diack and Brand were followed by new boy Chaplain coming on when Lee Wilson was forced to leave the game a couple of minutes after being fouled by Livingstone.

Half-Time

Half-time was for once unusual in that the Rovers players spent no more than 5 of the 15 minutes in the dressing room, head-coach Jim Chapman having sent them back out onto the pitch [Picture D] to await the restart. When play resumed Rovers almost reduced the deficit, Scott Chaplain put in a free-kick from the touchline 30 yards out. A combination of the moderate wind and the unexpectedness saw 'keeper Jackson scrambling back into his goal and barely managing to scoop the ball off the goal line [Picture E].

Iain Diack showed he was still on the trail of his third when he rounded a defender to latch onto a pass, his strong shot was held by the diving Jamie Ewings.

Next the Falkirk side tried their luck with a move which was obviously from the training ground. Ally Graham took a free-kick from the edge of the Rovers area to Diack, the attempt failed miserably.

Former East Stirling man Graham McGhee wellied a free-kick into the concrete wall at the end of the park much to the amusement of the locals. In 69 minutes the scoreline worsened for Rovers when Diack laid off the ball to Brand who slipped the ball low into the corner of the goal.

Five minutes later the scoring was completed in bizarre fashion when Jamie MacKay launched the ball high into the air in what could be mistaken for a well-judged effort going over his own goalie and under the bar.

A Donachy run up the wing ended with Wallace giving the ball too much elevation. Diack was denied any further chance of a hat-trick when he was taken off by 'Shire manager and former Rovers coach Dennis Newall. Reid then saw his shot bounce into the grateful arms of Jackson.

Defensive errors could have allowed East Stirling to increase their lead when Livingstone had a clear run at goal, he side stepped a defender in the box and loosed a shot which is best forgotten.

Both sides had further half-chances before the match ended but they hardly justify a more detailed mention. MacKay of the home team was the only man to incur the wrath of the referee enough to have his name taken.

Summary

Very disappointing for all concerned although it has to be said that East Stirling aren't quite the whipping boys of the league that they have been of late. Thanks to the international match Jim Chapman has a fortnight to consider his options regarding team selection for the visit of current form side Cowdenbeath. 

East Stirlingshire : Jackson, MacKay, Tyrrell, Oates, Smith, Walker, Brand, Thywissen (Ure 84), Diack (Dymock 79), Graham, Livingstone. Subs Not Used : Blair, Owen, Gillespie.

Albion Rovers : Ewings, Friel (Reid 65), McGhee, O'Neil, Lennon, Bonnar, Chisholm, Wilson (Chaplain 42), Wallace, Donachy, Mathie (Franch 61). Subs Not Used : Donnelly, Quinn.

Referee : John McKendrick

Man of the Match - Scott Chaplain

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