Albion Rovers 2 v 5 Stenhousemuir

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Attendance : 383

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Donnelly (12), Chaplain (24). Stenhousemuir : Lennon (37 O.G.), McBride (42 Pen, 47), Templeton (46), Hutchison (84)

A suicidal display is the only description of the Albion Rovers performance which saw them coast to a 2 goal lead and throw it away in spectacular fashion against Stenhousemuir.

Fresh from their midweek cup semi-final disappointment Albion Rovers started brightly and a defence splitting Savage pass gave Scott Chaplain an opportunity which was spoiled when 'keeper McCulloch got there a fraction of a second earlier than the Cliftonhill goal machine.

A couple of minutes later David Templeton was on the receiving end of a ball at the corner of Rovers penalty box, his low shot across the goal was wide of the mark.

A Chaplain/Smith one two almost came off in 11 minutes, followed shortly afterwards by Brian Smith unleashing a ferocious shot which was touched over for a corner by McCulloch. Jamie Doyle flighted in the corner kick which Ciaran Donnelly rose to powerfully head in at the near post, the defender on the line jumping to no avail.

A Chaplain run up the near wing ended with a cross which Chisholm couldn't quite reach. In 21 minutes Andy Gow fouled Iain Chisholm and was booked for the challenge which saw the striker stretchered off to the waiting ambulance to take him to hospital.

Rovers doubled their lead in 24 minutes when Gordon Lennon put a pass through to Scott Chaplain who slotted the ball into the net through McCulloch's legs.

Some failed attempts by both teams were followed by a long run by substitute Bryan Felvus up the far wing, he was constantly harried by a defender who eventually forced the striker to run across goal without managing a shot.

In 37 minutes it all started to go wrong for Rovers when a Warriors corner was swung in, Ewings had his arms out ready to catch it but didn't and Gordon Lennon for the second consecutive Saturday slammed the ball into his own net.

Rovers tried to hit back with a long Savage ball upfield to Felvus on the far side was crossed to Chaplain coming in like a steam train near to the goal but just failed to connect.

In 41 minutes Kevin Nicoll brought down Templeton in the box gaining himself a booking and the visitors a penalty which John Paul McBride gratefully struck home from the spot. McLaughlin firing inches over the Rovers bar ended the first half.

Half-Time

Within a minute of the restart Stenhousemuir went ahead with Rovers once more unable to cope with a McBride crossed ball into the box, Templeton heading home. Less than a minute later they went further ahead when McBride chipped the ball over Ewings from the edge of the Rovers box.

Again the inability of Ewings to get to a crossed ball caused palpitations, Hutchison headed the ball over the crossbar to prevent more embarrassment. In 58 minutes a Rovers free-kick was just too high after Lennon had upset the assembled Stenny wall by standing in their midst.

Jamie Ewings had to come 10 yards out of his box to head a high ball clear as Templeton awaited it to come down. Numerous failed attempts by both teams were followed by Martin Bonnar receiving the ball on the far side, he took his time to pick the spot and proceeded to launch the ball high over the visitors goal.

Former Rover Iain Diack was next to miss the target when he out stepped Gordon Lennon. Then in 84 minutes the rout was completed when Gareth Hutchison flicked the ball past Ewings from 5 yards following a Gordon Connelly cross.

Felvus having a shot blocked at point blank range and Baird giving the ball to Ewings ended the match.

Albion Rovers : Ewings, Nicoll, Lennox, Lennon, Donnelly, Friel, Doyle (Creaney 56), Chaplain, Chisholm (Felvus 21), Savage, Smith (Bonnar 56). Subs Not Used : Sim, Thompson.

Stenhousemuir : McCulloch, Murie, Dillon, Gow, Cowan, McBride, Templeton (Baird 72), Trialist, Hutchison, Murphy (Connelly 45), McLaughlin (Diack 53). Subs Not Used : Menzies, Carlin.

Referee: Steven Nicholls

Man of the Match : Scott Chaplain

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