East Fife 1 v 3 Albion Rovers

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Attendance : 542

Scorers ~ East Fife : Nicholas (41). Albion Rovers : Smith (26), Lennon (31), Walker (42).

A welcome return to form for Rovers with three delightful goals gave them victory over a Fife team who shall take part in the promotion play-offs.

The match started rather tamely with no signs of what was to come, Paul Walker of the home side firing the ball straight to Jamie Ewings in eight minutes being only vaguely notable.

A high ball by the Fifers to Steven Nicholas defeated the defence and Jamie Ewings was forced to come out, the striker tumbled to the grass when inside the box with Mr. Somers controversially deciding it was neither a penalty or a dive!

Rovers first assault of note on the East Fife goal came in 13 minutes when Dave McFarlane crossed for Pat Walker to head, the 'keeper got to it and put it out of play when it seemed he should have held it. McFarlane was once more in the thick of it when he had a pop at goal from 30 yards only for the ball to dip a few inches over the crossbar.

Craig O'Reilly tried his luck from 20 yards but the ball skewed of course. Then Rovers came close when a Brian Smith cross was headed over by Scott Chaplain. 

In 26 minutes Smith bagged his first Rovers goal when a move consisting of many passes gave him the ball and the opportunity to chip goalkeeper John Dodds [Photo A] from just inside the Fifers box.

Just five minutes later it was two for Rovers when influential defender Gordon Lennon ran the length of the pitch picking up the ball at the half-way line. Dodds advanced off his line to stop his progress but Lennon coolly side-stepped the 'keeper and hit the ball into the net. [Photos B & C].

Ewings was called on shortly afterwards as East Fife tried to hit back, O'Reilly heading the ball forcing a diving save from the stopper. As play switched ends once more Chaplain had a drive touched over for a corner which proved fruitless.

Nicholas was advancing goalward with a cross hading in his direction when Ewings intervened to punch it clear. A couple of minutes later Nicholas got to a loose ball and Ewings didn't resulting in the hitman pulling one back.

It took less than a minute for Rovers to regain their two goal lead [Photos D, E & F] when Pat Walker struck an outstanding free-kick from a few yards outside the homesters penalty area into the near side of the goal with the 'keeper stranded.

A Lloyd Young header being tipped over his crossbar by Ewings brought the first half to a close.

Half-Time

Some lax defending by the home side allowed Tommy Lennox to unleash a shot which Dodds failed to hold. The resultant corner saw the ball move around in the box for a while before the defence managed to clear it.

Gordon Lennon was pressed into action in 51 minutes when he dispossessed Paul Walker and managed to gain a goal-kick into the bargain. Then he headed clear an East Fife header, Ewings gathering the ball from the corner which followed.

A controversial offside decision denied Rovers another goal when McFarlane had the ball in the net in 55 minutes. Phil Creaney hit a cracking shot, the quality of which was equalled in the diving save by Dodds as Walker waited in vain for the ball to spill from the hands of the 'keeper.

A superb trap and run by Lennon ended in disappointment when the through ball was a split-second too late whilst it's intended target in an offside position.

With time running out O'Reilly went on a run ending with a strong shot which Ewings smothered. Then a sneaky attempt by substitute Bryan Felvus from the far side of the pitch had Dodds panicking but it proved to be slightly wide of the mark.

On the 90 minute mark shout after shout of "Olez" from the visiting fans in appreciation of a passing move involving many players ended with McFarlane heading the ball onto the crossbar.

Summary

A very pleasing performance for travelling fans with three quality goals putting smiles on faces, far from being a dull end of season match!

East Fife : Dodds, Doyle, McBride, Courts (Smith 46), McDonald, Young, Gibson (Gordon 76), Blackadder,  Nicholas, O'Reilly, Walker. Subs Not Used : Ritchie, Hampshire, Ross.

Albion Rovers : Ewings, Moffat, Lennox, Lennon, Donnelly, Creaney (Thomson 88), Chisholm, Chaplain, MacFarlane, Walker (Felvus 76),  Smith. Subs Not Used : McGeough, Brown, Scott.

Referee : David Somers

Man of the Match - Gordon Lennon

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