Albion Rovers 2 v 0 Dumbarton

Attendance : 512

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Hunter (45), P. Walker (49).

Rovers climbed no less than three places in the league table following their win on SFL derby day, a result which cost Dumbarton gaffer Gerry McCabe his job.

After a minute of applause in memory of Jimmy Lawson a Cliftonhill stalwart of over half a century it was Dumbarton who started stronger. Jamie McKenzie was forced into taking the ball off the foot of Robert Campbell just five yards from Rovers goal.

Former Rover Dave McFarlane combined with Campbell to get the ball upfield to veteran striker Brian McPhee whose overhead kick was straight to David Scott in goals.

Mick O'Byrne tried to clear a ball but contrived to hit it off his own man to former Dumbarton favourite John Gemmell who in turn supplied it to Roddy Hunter at the edge of the box. The move petered out without a shot, Gemmell didn't tax 'keeper David Crawford unduly with an attempt shortly afterwards.

In 28 minutes Gemmell was shown a yellow card by the referee for not retreating at a Dumbarton free-kick, McKenzie followed him into Mr. Charleston's book for remonstrating about the decision. Tensions were rising on the field and Niall Henderson on loan from Gretna got a yellow card of his own for a foul on the half hour mark.

A controversial decision saw an indirect free-kick awarded to Rovers inside the Dumbarton penalty area around nine yards from the goal line, visiting players claiming a foul on their 'keeper. As often happens at these kicks one man knocked the ball slightly to one side whilst another batters it goalward hoping but failing to score as the massed ranks of the defence rush out towards the ball.

Just five minutes after incurring his first caution Henderson got a second and the inevitable red card, this time his offence was impeding a Rovers attempt to take a free-kick. As Rovers' Gemmell had been shown a yellow card for an identical offence just seven minutes previously there could be no other outcome.

There was no immediate sign of Rovers numerical superiority and a well worked passing move led to McFarlane missing the target by mere inches. A few minutes later he drove a strong ball to Scott.

With less than 20 seconds of the half remaining an unstoppable volley from 20 yards by Roddy Hunter gave Rovers the lead.

Half-Time

Two half-time substitutions by John McCormack saw McKenzie and Gemmell being replaced by Ciaran Donnelly and Pat Walker. This was generally interpreted in the stands as a move to prevent the men gaining second yellow cards from a referee who had shown no reluctance to do so in the first half.

Within four minutes Rovers doubled their lead when Callan Adam's cross was headed across goal by Hunter to Pat Walker who turned on the spot to slot the ball low into the corner of the goal.

Then mistakes by both sides led to Adam shooting and Crawford pulling off a diving save. At the other end it was the Rovers stopper who had to dive to pull off a creditable save from a McPhee free-kick.

A relatively quiet period ensued broken by Ryan Russell firing the proverbial "miles over" following a corner. With just a minute remaining Fergus Tiernan had a shot from distance rebound strongly but harmlessly off the metalwork.

Summary

A creditable win and performance from Rovers who now sit just a couple of points from a play-off position in the league. They now have three weeks to wait before their next league game due to the Scotland international and of course Scottish Cup duty.

Albion Rovers : Scott, Reid, McGowan, Robert Walker, Benton, Donald, Smith, McKenzie (Donnelly 46), Hunter (Chisholm 77), Adam, Gemmell (Pat Walker 46). Subs Not Used : McStay, Mitchell.

Dumbarton : Crawford, Geggan, Brittain (Russell 70), Canning, O'Byrne, Tiernan, Hamilton (Kerr 61), Henderson, McPhee (Gentile 70), MacFarlane, Campbell. Subs Not Used : Coyne, Shaw.

Referee: Craig Charleston

Man of the Match : Roddy Hunter

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