Albion Rovers 1 v 2 Stenhousemuir

Attendance : 428

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Chaplain (57). Stenhousemuir : Cramb (19), Sinclair (72).

This match against the league leaders fell very much in the "We wuz robbed" category for Albion Rovers. The home side dominated much of the match having double the number of shots during the 90 minutes only to lose.

Starting up front and listed as a trialist was former Partick Thistle striker, Frenchman Armand Oné. Rovers 'keeper Jamie Ewings returned from injury to start the match on the bench.

A very positive start by Rovers resulted in a miss just 17 seconds into the match. The visitors were next to have a go when a Joe McAlpine shot from distance was blocked at the edge of Rovers box.

Oné had his close-range header from a Doyle's free-kick palmed by the Warriors' 'keeper and a follow up shot was ruled out by Mr. Downie after a challenge with a high foot on McCulloch.

A minute later McKeown was forced to put the ball over his own goal following a Jamie Doyle corner. Martin Bonnar came close for Rovers before play switched ends only for a Colin Cramb attempt to dribble past the Rovers goal.

In 19 minutes Stenhousemuir grabbed the lead when Joe McAlpine's shot deflected to Cramb on the edge of the 6 yard box for the forward put a low shot past McGlynn.

Rovers soon regained their dominance as evidenced by Doyle and Chisholm shooting over and Scott Chaplain turning quickly in the Warriors' box but snatching the shot past the post. Chisholm had another go only to see the ball whizz past the post, a claim for a corner due to a deflection was denied.

At the other end of the pitch defender Gordon Lennon appeared from nowhere to avert danger as Cramb put in a well judged pass to Rovers box. Oné was in the right place to receive a cross pitch ball, he rounded one defender but his subsequent shot came off another.

In 39 minutes a Chaplain shot failed and a minute later Rovers were awarded a penalty when Chaplain was brought down by McAlpine. Up stepped Scott Friel who blasted the ball just over the crossbar.

Half-Time

Rovers started the second period where they'd left off in the first half Iain Chisholm going on a run up the wing only to shoot woefully wide. A Chaplain shot was also very wide soon after leaving the ball to be put back into the Stenhousemuir box for the defender to have another go, this time it dribbled to the 'keeper.

A rare Warriors shot from Gibson along the ground went straight into the arms of Gary McGlynn. In 57 minutes the scores were levelled when Oné his a cracking shot which rebounded off the Stenhousemuir crossbar. The ball fell to Scott Chaplain who put it into the net from close range.

Looking to take the lead a disappointing Chisholm header failed after connecting with a Donachy cross. Donachy was in the thick of it again soon after when he ran 50 yards to sneak the ball past former Airdrieonians stopper McCulloch and the goalpost.

John Paul McBride tried his best with a free-kick but Henderson missed the target with his header. Armand Oné was leaning back when he kicked goalward but gave the ball too much elevation to trouble the 'keeper.

McBride had a rare shot to make McGlynn stretch up to pluck the ball from the air. Then in 72 minutes Stenhousemuir scored once more with a deflected Sinclair kick.

A good Rovers move up the wing ended when Doyle lofted the ball too high. John Paul McBride caused consternation in Rovers defence when he swung in a corner which was affected by the strong wind and stopped dead at the near post, the surprised defenders regained composure to clear the danger.

The match ended in frustration for Rovers as the visitors wasted time remorselessly until the referee blew his whistle.

Doyle, Donnelly and Chaplain of Rovers with McKeown and Murphy of the Warriors were booked.

Summary

A tale of woe for Rovers with a missed penalty and 2 deflections bringing about the league leaders goals. The input of Armand Oné, although he didn't seem quite match fit was a positive influence on Rovers game.

Albion Rovers : McGlynn, Friel, McGhee (Selkirk 88), Lennon, Donnelly, Doyle, Chisholm (Reid 88), Chaplain, Trialist, Bonnar (Sim 76), Donachy. Subs Not Used : Noble, Ewings.

Stenhousemuir : McCulloch, Renwick, McAlpine, McKeown, Henderson, McBride, Gibson (Sinclair 69), Murphy, Carroll (Templeton 69), Cramb, McGrillen. Subs Not Used : Mercer, Fallon, Fahey.

Referee : Jamie Downie

Man of the Match : Scott Chaplain

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