Albion Rovers 1 v 1 Montrose

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Attendance : 825

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Donnelly (35 pen). Montrose : Russell (12).

Another bumper crowd for another basement battle, at stake a guaranteed 8th place if Rovers could win. Pre and post-match entertainment for the crowd inflated by free admission also livened things up! In the end it was honours even although Albion Rovers could have scored several in the first half.

Rovers started very lively indeed with a chance being cut out by the visiting 'keeper within 60 seconds. Craig Henslee responded for Montrose in 3 minutes but his shot from a tight angle hit the side netting. Craig Young found himself in a good position with little in his way but miskicked and the chance was gone.

Middleton squandered an opportunity for the visitors before Scott Chaplain had his blocked shot fall to Sichi whose own attempt was saved. A long cross into the Gable Endies box saw Young turn quickly and loose a strong shot which was blocked by the defence.

In 12 minutes Montrose grabbed the lead against the run of play when a loose ball with no defender getting in the way found its way to James Russell who put the ball high into Rovers net from 15 yards.

Good lead-up play by Andy Sim gave Chaplain a chance and although the ball seemed to bobble as he hit it a decent save by Wood was required to prevent the goal. Donnelly was next to try his luck but the ball was hit too high after he received a free-kick.

Good play culminated in a free-kick for Rovers, Lee Sichi challenged 'keeper Wood, Graham Hay intervened to put the ball out for what proved to be an unproductive corner.

Andy Sim and Craig Young then combined with the latter giving the ball too much elevation as it left his boot. A spectacular free-kick by Scott Friel was held by the Montrose stopper before Rovers drew level. Hay was apparently adjudged to have handled in the Montrose box gaining Rovers a penalty. Up stepped Ciaran Donnelly who struck the ball well evading the diving Wood who wasn't far away. [Picture D]

On the stroke of half-time a move involving several Albion Rovers players broke down a couple of yards from the goal.

Half-Time

The second period started quietly although a sometimes strong wind had started up. In 53 minutes Davidson shot over which was soon followed by a Rovers assault on the Gable Endies goal involving Sim, Young and others. Unfortunately the shot at the end of the move failed to trouble the 'keeper.

Still on the attack Rovers forced Hay to clear the ball which he didn't manage bouncing the ball instead off a Rovers man. Young gained the ball and advanced only to shoot into the side-netting.

Montrose had a move foiled by a Rovers defender who got in the way of a shot. In 72 minutes Andy Sim went on one of his mazy runs upfield which ended when he was adjudged to have fouled a defender in the Montrose box.

Seconds later Gary Middleton skelped the ball off Rovers goalpost and Henslee had a follow-up shot stopped by McGlynn with the ball then being cleared by Lennon.

Substitute Stephen Reid's ball came close and the 'keeper put out for a corner which led to a kick going just past the post. The last action of note was when a Webster shot was blocked by Lennon standing in front of Gary McGlynn.

Summary

An excellent performance from Albion Rovers in the first half which could have easily gained them more goals and the least said about the second half the better! Rovers now visit recent league leaders Stenhousemuir who've now crashed to a play-off place. The home side have nothing to play for as they cannot win the championship and are guaranteed a play-off place while Rovers need points to guarantee 8th place from the challenge of Montrose and a couple of goals would see them not having to wait until next term for their all-time 5000th league goal.

Donachie, Middleton and Davidson all of the visitors gained bookings during the match.

Gordon Lennon deservedly got the supporters player of the season award with a near unanimous vote in his favour. [Picture E]

Albion Rovers : McGlynn, Black, McGhee, Lennon, Donnelly, Friel, Sim (Noble 78), Chaplain, Young (Wallace 64), Bonnar, Sichi (Reid 64). Subs Not Used : Abou Beaker, Quinn.

Montrose : Wood, Kelly, Fraser, Donachie, Hay, Davidson (Fotheringham 71), Webster (McLeod 85), Henslee, Russell, Middleton (McManus 90), Brash. Subs Not Used : Ralph, Hankinson.

Referee : David Somers

Men of the Match : Scott Chaplain

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