Albion Rovers 1 v 5 East Stirlingshire

Attendance :425

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Gemmell (75). East Stirlingshire : Kelly (20 Pen.), Ure (35), Savage (45), Brand (69), Donaldson (88).

Albion Rovers crashed out of the competition in what was East Stirlingshire's first Scottish Cup victory against a league side in 23 years and their first ever triumph against Rovers in the competition.

Roddy Hunter got the action underway when he had his strong drive held by the diving Darren Hill despite a bobble just in from of the 'keeper. A comedy of errors in 11 minutes started when Barry Donald tried an ill judged back pass, 'keeper David Scott advanced from his box and promptly sliced the ball to former Rover Marc McKenzie. The attempt on goal was equally poor however and the status quo remained.

A Marc McKenzie cross a foot off the ground into the Rovers box saw another former Rover Joe Savage take a tumble which was blamed on Alan Reid. Gary Kelly took the spot kick and while Scott dived to his right the ball entered the net to his left.

Jamie McKenzie blasted a free-kick from 25 yards through a packed box which rebounded off Darren Hill and was helped to safety by a defender. Then a free-kick was taken by it's "victim" Savage was stifled by the assembled wall.

A Craig Donaldson miss preceded the 'Shire doubling their lead in 35 minutes when Derek Ure fired a low pass from Andy Brand into the Rovers net. Marc McKenzie tried a cheeky shot three minutes later but it didn't catch Scott off guard and there was no real danger.

A spate of bookings was to follow then Donald was shown a straight red card for aiming a kick at Craig Donaldson seconds before half-time. The first period was not dead however, and Savage put a Kelly corner past Scott to make it three.

Half-Time

The second half started quietly and Jamie McKenzie warmed the hands of Hill with a 30 yard free-kick. A long ball was then to find 'Shire stopper Hill who sliced it to John Gemmell at the edge of the 'Shire penalty area, his angled shot went just wide of the mark.

Rovers were in control for an extended period and Gemmell came close once more as Hill turned the ball out for a corner. The Rovers hitman was in prime position when the corner swung in and his strong drive rebounded off the underside of the bar to give him another opportunity which Hill saved.

In 69 minutes Rovers hopes of a cup run effectively ended when Brand evaded the attentions of a couple of defenders before slotting the ball low into Rovers goal. Brand failed to make it five for the Falkirk side just before Gemmell scored a quality consolation strike. As the clock wound down Donaldson finished the scoring to complete a remarkable win for his side.

Summary

Although East Stirlingshire are far from the whipping boys they were until recently the margin of their victory came as a stunning blow for Rovers. The lack of discipline was a worry with Rovers gaining 2 yellow cards in addition to the red from a referee arguably a bit card-happy (four visiting players also incurred his wrath). Rovers go into next Saturdays game versus Elgin City without Barry Donald and Ciaran Donnelly who starts a two match ban which can only dent hopes of a win.

Albion Rovers : Scott, Reid (Donnelly 46), McGowan, Robert Walker, Benton, Donald, Wright (Chisholm 71), McKenzie (Smith 64), Hunter, Adam, Gemmell. Subs Not Used : Patrick Walker, Mitchell.

East Stirlingshire : Hill, Gibb, McBride, Doyle, Thywissen, Kelly (Brownlie 56), McKenzie, Brand, Savage (Simpson 69), Donaldson, Ure. Subs Not Used : Oates, King, Mitchell.

Referee: Frank McDermott

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