Albion Rovers 2 v 0 East Stirlingshire

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Attendance : 803

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Chaplain (4, 24).

Cliftonhill was buzzing on April Fool's day with nice weather and free tickets being given to local schools bringing in a bumper crowd for what was billed as a basement battle. There was also the attraction that Rovers needed only 6 goals to reach their all time 5000th league strike, their supporters' trust even running a prediction competition with a cash prize!

The 2 Jamie's were missing from Rovers line-up once more due to injury, Messrs. Ewings and Doyle both of whom are out for the season. Off-field entertainment was also laid on but it was the on field action that excited the crowd most in a free flowing end to end attacking match.

3 minutes in, and a George Wallace back-header to the 'shire 'keeper was adequately coped with. A minute later Rovers were ahead when a long pass was nicely laid off for Scott Chaplain to skelp the ball low into the net past Derek Jackson.

Keeping the pressure on their opponents Rovers were still pushing forward and Lee Sichi went on a 40 yard run evading the defence as we went, it ended on the 'Shire 6 yard line when he was crowded off the ball. A very promising Chaplain/Wallace move ended when the latter strayed offside. Almost immediately East Stirlingshire advanced downfield and were themselves foiled by an offside flag.

Steven Dymock pumped a free-kick into Rovers box, Oates headed it towards the goalmouth but McGlynn got there in time. Former Rover Marc McKenzie was dispossessed by Donnelly when getting too close for comfort. An East Stirling corner caused problems for Rovers defence in 14 minutes, Dymock had his header headed off the line by Steven Noble before McKenzie's rebound shot was tipped over the bar by McGlynn.

A Molloy try was ludicrously high before play switched ends for a Gordon Lennon attempted overhead kick to fail from a well judged Tommy Lennox pass. In 24 minutes Rovers doubled their advantage when Chaplain hit home from close range after Wallace had nodded down a Noble free-kick.

With Rovers still attacking, Gordon Lennon gave the ball to Wallace who put the ball up for Sichi but the forward just failed to connect. Lennon was in action once more shortly afterwards when he blocked a McKenzie shot in the box.

A short ranged Wallace shot was saved by Jackson then just on half-time Chaplain provided Sichi with the ball on the wing allowing him to run in towards goal. He elected to shoot instead of cross the ball to the centre of the goal resulting in a sight best forgotten.

Half-Time

An impressive mazy run by Stephen Donachy ended with his shot past the 'Shire stopper being kicked off the line by Ure to Wallace whose shot was saved. In 49 minutes a Tyrrell blast from 40 yards following a free-kick was inches too high. A long ball from close to the 'Shire corner saw George Wallace vying with the 'keeper in mid-air 5 yards from goal, Jackson just managed to grapple the ball in time.

Rovers then had several moves fail in quick succession, Wallace denied by the 'keeper, Donachy edged off ball in a crowded area and Chaplains' shot was saved also after some good build-up play.

The visitors could have pulled one back when a crossed ball found it's way to Marc McKenzie on the penalty spot but he had a fresh air kick instead. Another good chance was squandered when Paul Tweedie sliced his shot so badly it just missed the corner flag, giving Rovers a goal-kick.

Rovers were encamped at the visitors end of the park, this ended when Chaplain had his shot blocked and Donnelly putting the rebounded ball too high.

Marc McKenzie, as he always did while at Cliftonhill kept plugging away and had a long run upfield lofting the ball into Rovers box when he arrived there only to see a colleague head it to the grateful McGlynn. A couple of minutes again the diminutive forward did the same!

With around 10 minutes remaining Lennon cracked a shot from 5 yards only to have the ball rebound off the crossbar back to him, this time the shot was wide of target.

Chaplain who was chasing his hat-trick had a shot blocked at the edge of the "d" by Tyrrell. While awaiting the final whistle Lennon got onto a long cross to head the ball to Jackson.

Smith and Ure of the visitors received yellow cards during the match.

Summary

An exciting match in which the only thing to play for was the avoidance of the wooden spoon, by losing East Stirlingshire virtually guaranteed possession of said utensil for a 4th consecutive season.

Albion Rovers : McGlynn, Lennox, Noble, Lennon, Donnelly, Friel, Sichi (Sim 65), Chaplain, Wallace (Young 84), Bonnar, Donachy (Reid 87). Subs Not Used : McGhee, Quinn.

East Stirlingshire : Jackson, Oates, Ure, Tyrrell, Smith, Tyrrell, Dymock (Sobolewski 76), Molloy, Tweedie, McKenzie, Walsh. Subs Not Used : Gaughan, MacKay, Patrick, Carr.

Referee : Euan Norris

Men of the Match : Scott Chaplain & Gordon Lennon

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