Albion Rovers 2 v 1 Stenhousemuir

Attendance : 308

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Felvus (30), Chaplain (66). Stenhousemuir : Tyrrell (19).

Albion Rovers went into this match following a drubbing at Elgin three days previously and Stenhousemuir having bagged 5 against Dumbarton the same day. Any thoughts however, that the form of either team would continue were some distance wide of the mark.

Within 23 seconds of the start Rovers had caused near panic in the Stenhousemuir defence. Brian Smith streamed down the near wing, his awkward cross into the visitors' box was deflected to the far side and the resulting inswinger was blocked by Willie McCulloch.

Bryan Felvus came close with a shot when he received the ball a couple of yards inside the penalty area. In eight minutes Stenhousemuir had their first assault on the Rovers goal when John Dempster blasted a ball which David Scott could not hold and the ball found its way to another Warriors man who failed to control it.

A vicious Tommy Sinclair corner was then punched clear by Scott who had to jump high. Scott Chaplain was next up, his run of the far wing ending with Willie McCulloch getting in the way. Home fans thought they'd take the lead when their trialist beat the Warriors defence and only to have his shot blocked by the keepers legs.

Against the run of play Stenhousemuir took the lead in 19 minutes when Paul Tyrrell put the ball over the head of Tommy Lennox on the line following a goalmouth scramble.

Scott Chaplain was gifted the ball in an excellent position and his shot had everybody including the goalie rooted to the spot waiting to see where it went, regrettably for the goal-getter a yard past the post was it's destination.

Andy Thomson wasted a decent opportunity to go further ahead before Rovers drew level. Chaplain on the nearside fired in a low cross a few yards from goal which Bryan Felvus bulleted into the back of the net.

Half-Time

In the second period a Kevin McLeish ball towards the Rovers' goal was ludicrously high, giving Scott time to judge the catch. a Pat Walker attempt was inches wide of the target then Felvus supplied the ball to the Trialist at the opposite side of the goal and the shot was wide.

In 64 minutes Scott was forced to come out of his area to clear a long ball which Andy Thomson was chasing. Just two minutes later Rovers took the lead with a Chaplain 30 yarder which McCulloch tried to smother on the goal line but it slipped through his hands.

A defensive mix-up in Rovers' ranks could have cost the Coatbridge men dear had Kevin Nicoll not stepped in to save the day. In 75 minutes the Rovers trialist was replaced by Iain Chisholm just a minute after receiving a booking from Mr. Muir and seconds after committing another foul which could also have been so punished.

A string of substitutions by both gaffers followed, Henderson of the visitors being booked after just 5 minutes on the park.

Summary

Rovers regained their form and put on a display of commitment and skill despite still suffering from injuries sustained by key players.

Albion Rovers : Scott, Moffat, Lennox, Watson, Donnelly, Nicoll, Smith, Chaplain, Felvus (Sim 86), Walker (Thompson 89), Trialist (Chisholm 75). Subs Not Used : Creaney, Thomson.

Stenhousemuir : Willie McCulloch, McLeish, Menzies, Aitken (Forde 85), Murphy, Scott McCulloch, Sinclair (Henderson 80), Dempster, Hutchison, Thomson (Trialist 69), Tyrrell. Subs Not Used : McLaughlin, Johnstone.

Referee: Alan Muir

Man of the Match : Tommy Lennox

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