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Albion Rovers 0 v 2 Arbroath |  |
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Albion Rovers 0 v 2 Arbroath | |
| Irn-Bru League 3rd Division 5th April 2008 |
Attendance : 264
Scorers ~ Arbroath : Sellars (73), McBride (87).
For the second match in a row indiscipline cost Albion Rovers dear, striker John Gemmell being the culprit sent for an early shower this week. Goalkeeper Tony Mitchell finally made his debut having been almost ever present on the bench since joining Rovers in October. Willie Martin and Alan Benton missed the match having been sent off the previous Saturday.
Rovers started positively and in five minutes a Jamie McKenzie corner was met by a Chris Hughes header in a packed box. Nicky Smith was well positioned at the back post to head off the line. Soonafter John Gemmell had his shot stopped by 'keeper Darren Hill and cleared by Craig Tully.
Then it was the visitors turn to have a go and Barry Sellars had a brace of shots blocked in quick succession by Hughes.
An Arbroath attack broke down on the halfway line Bobby Barr taking advantage of a Roddy Black mistake, Gemmell received the ball, ran goalward and proceeded to kick the ball woefully wide of the target. Then it was Graeme Watson's turn to miss the target by an even larger margin.
A 30 yard free-kick by Gemmell was then cleared for a corner by the Red Lichties defence. Pat Walker took the viciously inswinging corner which the 'keeper nudged onto the crossbar. Still on the attack Pat Walker hit a free-kick from 25 yards which was aimed at the "postage stamp" but missed by a smidgen.
Weak defensive play by Rovers allowed Sellars to blast a shot which was blocked. Danny Ferry pumped a ball deep into the visitors box which McKenzie was at full stretch but didn't quite make it.
With five minutes of the half remaining Gemmell was shown a straight red card by the referee for a relatively tame head butt on Paul Watson.
Half-Time
A long range free-kick by Arbroath failed to worry Mitchell then Rovers were encamped around the Arbroath box for a few minutes but couldn't break through the defence. Brian Smith darted up the wing only for his shot to whizz across the Red Lichties goal.
In 73 minutes Arbroath's first shot on target of the match became their opening goal. Barry Sellars struck a free-kick from the far corner of the Rovers penalty area giving Mitchell no chance whatsoever as it went into the net.
A couple of minutes later a Scott McBride shot rebounded for him to head the ball which Mitchell saved. Brian Smith hit a volley from 25 yards which rattled off the Arbroath crossbar.
The match was winding down when Sellars provided McBride with the ball and he coolly slotted home from just inside the penalty box.
Summary
Had John Gemmell not been red carded Rovers could well have gained a point or perhaps even all three against a team who look like hanging onto a place in the play-offs. As it is Rovers will slip a place in the table this midweek without playing as near rivals Dumbarton and Forfar meet, only a draw will maintain their higher position.
Albion Rovers : Mitchell, Buckley, McGowan, Hughes (Smith 54), Reid, Watson, Barr (Ally Martin 85), McKenzie, Gemmell, Ferry, Pat Walker. Subs Not Used : McDougal, McStay, Scott.
Arbroath : Hill, Campbell, Black, Rattray (McMullan 63), Bishop, Tully, Smith, Tosh (Reilly 88), Brazil, Sellars, Watson (McBride 63). Subs Not Used : Masson, Morrison.
Referee: Antony Law