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Albion Rovers 2 v 2 Montrose |  |
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Albion Rovers 2 v 2 Montrose | |
| Scottish League Third Division 10th March 2007 |
Pics courtesy of Gill Williamson
Attendance : 428
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Chaplain (11, 77 pens). Montrose : Baird (1), Rodgers (49).
Rovers went into this match knowing the points were essential to keep a promotion hope alive but with so many key players injured it wasn't an easy task. In the end it took a couple of penalty awards, at least one of which was controversial to gain them a single point against a team with 10 men for 79 minutes.
The first move resulted in a goal on the one minute mark when Barry Donachie laid on the pass to John Baird who finished with aplomb. In 11 minutes Chris McLeod of the visitors was red carded for bringing down Scott Chaplain in the box and the club top scorer levelled from the spot, his first strike since January 20th.
Soon afterwards Gable Endies boss Jim Weir replaced midfielder Greig Henslee with defender Chris Tawse. As often seems to be the case it was difficult to see which team were a man short as the remaining 10 work harder to cover the ground.
Andy Rogers then had a strong but straight shot to David Scott in the Rovers goal. Another failed Montrose attempt was followed by Pat Walker making life too easy for Montrose stopped Cameron Bell.
Tawse then had a weak effort saved by Scott, still plugging away Montrose then forced Peter Watson into a vital clearance from his own penalty spot. Phil Creaney was next to try his luck to no avail for Rovers.
Former Cliftonhill favourite Jed Stirling hit a low free-kick from the edge of Rovers penalty area which was saved by Scott. The first period ended after Baird sliced the ball past the post.
Half-Time
It took 10 man Montrose less than five minutes from the restart to go ahead once more when Mark Docherty gave the ball to Rogers who chipped the 'keeper.
Brian Smith was determined to help redress the balance and his well judged ball to Chaplain resulted in a low shot which Bell stopped without undue worry. A good move by Rovers culminated in a Bryan Felvus cross which was intercepted by a Montrose head.
Smith was again at the Montrose goal when his kick was blocked by Neil Stephen. A Rovers move which brought about 3 shots in quick succession ultimately failed when Smiths' effort was caught by Bell.
Watson was replaced by the trialist as Rovers pushed for a goal. The equaliser came in 77 minutes when another penalty was given by Mr. Charleston with many disputing the award, both on and off the pitch. Unworried by the circumstances Chaplain did the necessary.
With five minutes remaining Stirling almost bagged a wonder goal from a wickedly inswinging corner which Scott managed to tip over the bar. Another Montrose corner into Rovers' box had Hugh Davidson leaning back and launching the ball skyward.
On the stroke of 90 minutes Chaplain fired the ball forcing Bell to turn the ball out for what proved to be an unproductive corner.
Summary
Another disappointing day for Rovers fans, the result virtually killing off the chance of ending the season in a play-off position.
Albion Rovers : Scott, Thomson, Lennox, Nicoll, Watson (Trialist 71), Creaney, Chisholm (Sim 84), Chaplain, Felvus, Walker, Smith. Subs Not Used : McGoldrick, Moffat, Thompson.
Montrose : Bell, Cumming, Stirling, Stephen, McLeod,
Donachie, Henslee (Tawse 13), Davidson, Rogers (Napier 79), Baird, Docherty.
Subs Not Used : Michie, Phillip Reid, Andrew Reid.
Referee : Craig Charleston