Elgin City 0 v 3 Albion Rovers

Attendance : 440

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Lennon (45), Hind (O.G. 48), Felvus (80).

Albion Rovers made the 370 mile round trip to the highlands in atrocious weather with a small band of intrepid fans who weren't disappointed as they scored 3 goals and gained 3 invaluable points.

Within seconds of the start Jamie Doyle put a free-kick round the assembled wall but 'keeper Renton was there to catch it. A few minutes later another Doyle free-kick, this time from around 35 yards which Renton once more caught with a Rovers man challenging.

When the 'keeper came to the edge of his box to punt the ball upfield he went down in obvious distress and after around 5 minutes of treatment it was decided he couldn't continue with the upper body injury he had. Inexperienced 'keeper Brenin was thrust between the sticks for the 1st time since joining the highland club.

Tommy Lennox was carving up the City defence when he tried to chip Brenin who was close to the edge of his area, the stopper just managed to stretch high enough to prevent a certain goal.

Elgin had claims for a penalty denied in 11 minutes when their corner was hit goalward possibly striking Gordon Lennon's arm in the process of being deflected for another corner, the defender most certainly didn't deliberately use his arm however.

Craig Campbell failed with an utterly woeful attempt before his colleague Steve MacKay struck a low shot from 25 yards across Rovers' goal, Ewings seemed to have it covered as it sneaked out on the far side of the goalpost.

Rovers were up the park once more and a long Lennon throw-in found the tightly marked Felvus who was unable to take advantage of it. McKay had a poor shot which the nearby Johnston was positioned better to fire from had he gained the opportunity.

Jamie Ewing came a cropper when incredibly standing with ball in his hands inside his penalty box Johnston came up and clearly fouled him. No free-kick was awarded as the No. 1 went down still clutching the ball, to gain treatment he was forced to throw the ball out at the side touchline.

On the stroke of half-time Rovers grabbed the lead when Lennox on the wing played a square along the ground to Gordon Lennon just entering the City penalty area. Lennon then side stepped 2 Elgin men and hit the ball over the outstretched leg of another defender hitting off the hands of the 'keeper as he went down and into the back of the net.

Half-Time

The second half started with Lennon having to welly the ball onto the terracing after a midfield error by a teammate allowed City to advance upfield. Rovers lead doubled in 48 minutes when Ciaran Donnelly's shot was put into his own net by David Hind.

Referee Ritchie then seemed far too lenient on Moffat when he fouled Chaplain, awarding a free-kick but not even a ticking off for the offender. A goal for Elgin seemed almost inevitable when Martin Johnston was through on goal a yard ahead of a brace of defenders, with only Ewings in his way he promptly tripped and lost the ball.

In 58 minutes City gaffer Brian Irvine made his 3rd and final substitution gambling that there would be no further injuries in his sides ranks. A low shot through a packed Rovers area by Chris Gardiner failed before Rovers were again on the attack, Phil Creaney giving the ball to Lennox who was felled by a City man who was shown a yellow card by the referee. Creaney again was the provider resulting in Jamie Doyle launching the ball over the crossbar.

In 63 minutes some strong challenges by Rovers ending with Doyle allegedly being stamped on in an area of the body least able to cope sparked a stramash involving 21 players. Stand-in Elgin 'keeper Brenin was the one staying away while the remainder got involved in a lot of shoving with the associated "verbals". Rovers gaffer Jim Chapman came on to cool things down but it took time for the situation to ease. The obligatory confab of Mr. Ritchie and his assistants surprised most onlookers when it resulted in just 3 yellow cards, Ewings and Watson of Rovers and Campbell of City being the ones punished.

Ewings looked to get a sore one when his arm made contact with the boot of a marauding Elgin player when he dived to put the ball out for a corner which proved fruitless.

The young Brenin touched over a fierce Doyle attempt before Hind had a hapless go himself. Next Elgin captain Hugh Dickson had his header cleared off the line by Tommy Lennox in 75 minutes.

In 80 minutes the scoring was concluded when Scott Chaplain chipped the ball over the 'keeper, Bryan Felvus making sure the goal was scored by heading it in from close-range.

Chaplain had a late shot come off the Elgin goalie following a corner. Donnelly of Rovers and Gardiner of the homesters had failed attempts before the final whistle sounded and the players shook hands with eachother and the officials as they left the pitch.

Summary

A good footballing display by Albion Rovers in spite of slippery wet and windy conditions against an Elgin side which invariable relied on the route 1 approach.

Elgin City : Renton (Brenin 10), Campbell, Dempsie, Kaczan, Low, Hind, McGraw (Dickson 58), Moffatt, Johnston, Charlesworth (Gardiner 45), Mackay. Subs Not Used : Docherty, Finnigan.
 
Albion Rovers : Ewings, Watson, Nicoll, Lennon, Donnelly, Doyle, Lennox, Chaplain (Moffat 90), Felvus, Creaney (Savage 82), Smith (McBride 87). Subs Not Used : Sim, Thompson

Referee : Mike Ritchie

Man of the Match - Bryan Felvus

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