 |
East Fife 0 v 0 Albion Rovers |  |
|
East Fife 0 v 0 Albion Rovers | |
| Irn-Bru League Third Division 8th March 2008 |
Attendance : 873
Albion Rovers turned up at Methil for a match which was supposed to be the East Fife championship winning party. All that was required was Arbroath to win at Stranraer and it would be theirs, well once the foregone conclusion of them beating Rovers that is. Rovers had the temerity and indeed tenacity to prove party poopers.
For the umpteenth match in a row for Rovers there was a strong wind, they started strongly having much possession but little in the way of chances to capitalise on.
The first real attempt on goal came from Greig McDonald who proved to be offside when he hit the ball over the bar from close in. Ciaran Donnelly made a few hearts miss a beat in 18 minutes when his attempted clearance came off Rovers goalpost. This was followed by a couple of follow-up shots which David Scott stopped with his legs.
John Gemmell directing a free-kick straight to 'keeper Wight then a high ball into the Rovers area being punched clear by Scott ended the first half.
Half-Time
No doubt the East Fife players were told during the break that the score at Stair Park was going their way and that the championship was in their own hands. Ryan Blackadder tried his luck from distance but it was well off the mark.
Bobby Barr sparked into life and embarked on a long run downfield, he passed to Gemmell who was tackled only to regain the ball and fire a low shot into the side netting.
Bobby Linn forced a save from Scott then Blackadder fired a free-kick which rebounded off the Rovers crossbar to safety. Linn then incurred the wrath of the referee when he was booked for diving.
Rovers were weathering a storm and Kevin Fotheringham hit a free-kick into Rovers area which Donnelly headed clear.
Iain Chisholm replaced Barr in 80 minutes then Willie Martin returning from injury replaced Ally Martin a couple of minutes later. Kevin Gordon was on a long run which ended with a well judged Michael McGowan tackle inside Rovers penalty area.
Willie Martin was at the right place at the right time for Rovers when he cleared a McDonald header following a corner off the line. Chisholm's short involvement on the match was ended when Fotheringham came into contact with him. No foul said Mr. McDonald and the unfortunate Rovers man was stretchered off.
In injury time both sides pressed for a winner, Fotheringham had a shot blocked. Then Craig O'Reilly receiving a cross then drawing it wide of goal. Rovers were briefly tormenting the champions elect passing the ball around. Scott saved a couple of East Fife attempts before the final whistle sounded.
Summary
A fine battling performance from Albion Rovers against a team well ahead at the top of the table. Superb goalkeeping from David Scott was a major factor in the draw which ironically gives Rovers the chance to gift the Fifers the championship by preventing Stranraer winning at Cliftonhill on Tuesday.
East Fife : Wight, McDonald, Cameron, Smart, Tweed, Fotheringham, Linn (Gordon 82), Stewart, Blackadder, Templeman (Young 60), McManus (O'Reilly 82). Subs Not Used : Greenhill, Stobie.
Albion Rovers : Scott, Buckley, McGowan, Donnelly, Benton, Watson, Barr (Chisholm 80, McDougal 88), Reid, Gemmell, Pat Walker, Ally Martin (Willie Martin 82). Subs Not Used : McStay, Mitchell.
Referee : Scott McDonald
Man
of the Match : David
Scott
