Albion Rovers 1 v 2 Stenhousemuir

Attendance : 228

Albion Rovers ~ Chaplain (10). Stenhousemuir : Nicoll (O.G. 74), Baird (77).

Rovers started this CIS 1st round match as the underdogs to a Stenhousemuir side which had competed in last years play-offs but only an own goal scored against a 10 man Rovers side won the tie for the visitors from Larbert.

5 minutes of the start Rovers stopper Jamie Ewings had to look lively and sprint 10 yards out of his box to clear a dangerous ball. Shortly afterwards Dillon and Hutchison combined in a move foiled by Martin Bonnar.

In the ascendancy Stenhousemuir had ‘keeper Jamie Ewings to blame for remaining on level terms when a John Paul McBride cross was headed goalward by former Rover Iain Diack. The resulting corner proved dangerous, pinging about the goalmouth for what may have seemed an eternity for Rovers before going out of play.

In 10 minutes Albion Rovers snatched the lead when a long ball by Tommy Lennox from the far side was headed home by Scott Chaplain.

Dillon slicing a shot wide preceded a Sichi run towards the Warriors goal ending in a low but weak shot to ‘keeper Willie McCulloch.

Paul Murphy should have done better in 27 minutes when he found himself unmarked 10 yards from the Rovers goal, squandering the opportunity as he did.

Stenhousemuir had the ball in the net in 37 minutes but the assistants flag was up for offside and the whistle blew as it was struck.

With 5 minutes of the half remaining Jamie Ewings pulled off a spectacular diving save from a McAlpine 30 yarder.

HALF TIME

The first thing to note in the second period was Scott Friel of Rovers being booked for a foul.

The visitors came close yet again when Hutchison snatched a shot which was marginally too high after a long upfield move. A minute later Hutchinson loosed another effort which Ewings got down to stop.

It was pretty much one-way traffic at this time Diack turning on the spot to fire a wayward shot and McLaughlin finishing a move consisting of many passes with an equally inaccurate attempt.

Perhaps Rovers fate was sealed in 59 minutes when Scott Friel received a straight red card for an off the ball incident involving John Paul McBride who was shown a yellow card for his involvement in the incident.

Rovers were still plugging away as evidenced by Lee Sichi embarking on a run which ended in a powderpuff Felvus shot. Stenhousemuir finished a period of much possession of the ball with McLaughlin tapping the ball to Ewings.

In 74 minutes Kevin Nicoll headed the ball into his own net following a Murphy cross. Just 3 minutes later a cross from the near the corner was drilled home by substitute Baird to complete the scoring.

McBride of the visitors came close from a Dillon cross before Ewings had to come out of his box once more to clear the ball but instead gave it to Templeton whose shot fell short of being accurate.

Ewings saving from Baird and Gordon Lennon of Rovers leading the Stenny defence a merry dance in their own penalty area brought the game nearer it’s end. Chaplain had the last Rovers opportunity of the game in 89 minutes when he was a couple of yards out but couldn’t capitalise on the situation.

In injury time Baird had a shot saved by Ewings only to regain the ball and skew the ball wide.

Felvus and Lennox of Rovers along with Templeton of Stenny all gained yellow cards from Mr. Law.


Albion Rovers : Ewings, Nicoll (Chisholm 60), Lennox (Walker 65), Lennon, Watson, Donnelly, Friel, Chaplain, Felvus, Bonnar, Sichi (McBride 85). Subs Not Used : Clearie, Thompson.

Stenhousemuir : McCulloch, Murie, Dillon, Henderson, Cowan, McBride, McLaughlin (Templeton 68), Murphy, Diack (Baird 73), Hutchison, McAlpine. Subs Not Used : Tyrrell, McLeish, Carlin.
Referee : Anthony Law

Man of the Match : Jamie Ewings

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