East Stirlingshire 3 v 0 Albion Rovers

Attendance : 262

Scorers ~ East Stirlingshire : Bolochoweckyj (46), Oates (69), Kevin McBride (72).

It couldn't have been much worse for Albion Rovers on what may prove to be their last visit to Firs Park before the bulldozers move in. Three goals lost, three dismissed by the referee who himself had a hand to play in the debacle and the third time they've been beaten by a bottom team this term.

Rovers missed the by now all too familiar long line-up of injured players plus the suspended Michael McGowan. Ciaran Donnelly and John Gemmell were as yet unexplained absentees from the squad.

Andy Rodgers supplied the ball for David Nicholls to have the first shot on goal, David Scott responded with a decent save. Craig Donaldson then tried to catch out the Rovers stopper from a very long way out but it was easily caught.

A Pat Walker corner led to Rovers first real opportunity as Willie Martin headed the ball backwards towards the East Stirlingshire goal only for Michael Bolochoweckyj to clear off the line.

Next up was Jamie McKenzie with a free-kick from distance which Gary O'Connor in the 'Shire goal scooped up in his arms.

In 18 minutes 'Shire were awarded an indirect free-kick a few yards inside Rovers penalty box after Robert Walker was adjudged to have passed the ball to Scott inches in front of an advancing striker. As often happens on these occasions Rovers packed 10 men into their box and repelled the Andy Brand kick

Jamie McKenzie became the first to have his name taken by Mr. Hornby, dissent was his offence. In 31 minutes Willie Martin supplied a pass to Danny Ferry 12 yards out, a glorious opportunity to open the scoring was squandered as he dragged the ball wide of the goal.

Alan Benton incurred the wrath of the referee by kicking the ball away at a 'Shire free-kick and was shown a yellow card which was to prove important later on.

Derek Ure sprang into life as the first half drew to a close, shooting past and then taking advantage of weak defending to provide Andy Rodgers a chance which he hit high from an acute angle. O'Connor stopping a Jamie McKenzie effort ended the first period.

Half-Time

The second half started with a bang, a pass upfield clearly being controlled by Donaldson's arm in plain view of the referee and the nearside assistant. A corner was awarded seconds later. Kevin McBride took the corner kick which was headed by Bolochoweckyj at Rovers goal, Richard Buckley appeared to clear the ball off the line but much to the chagrin of Rovers a goal was awarded. Rovers assistant manager Paul Martin was sent to the stand for remonstrating with officials.

Things got worse for Rovers in 52 minutes when Bolochoweckyj appeared to foul McKenzie, no free-kick was awarded and Willie Martin couldn't control his mouth and was red carded by the referee for dissent.

Brand was next to test the defence and found Robert Walker wanting, luckily for Rovers his attempt on goal could only be classified in the woeful category. Rovers game was effectively over when in 63 minutes when Alan Benton received a second yellow and resultant red card for a clumsy tackle on Rodgers.

Nine man Rovers were, needless to say struggling to cope with East Stirlingshire attacks and Donaldson forced a save from Scott. In 69 minutes the homesters doubled their advantage when McBride flighted in a corner which Stephen Oates ran in to rise and head home whilst the Rovers defence remained rooted to the spot.

Just three minutes elapsed before it was three for the Falkirk side when Scott Gibb had his cross from the nearside deflected by a defender to McBride to ram home at the far side of the goal.

Donaldson had a low drive saved by Scott then Rodgers saw the 'keeper off his line and tried a chip but it was well wide of the target. Rodgers then sliced a shot past the post and another effort off Scott. Mr. Hornby then deigned to book a home player for a foul, Oates was the unfortunate recipient.

Former Rover Marc McKenzie saw his shot clear the 30 foot wall behind Rovers goal before Pat Walker ended the game with a run and weak drive at O'Connor.

Summary

Severe ineptitude by the officials missing obvious things such as the handball, inconsistency for booking Benton for kicking a ball away leading to his red card and only ticking off a home player who did the same later in the match. When combined with a breakdown of discipline by Rovers players who should know better left John McCormack's side seeking their first win in nine matches. The loss left Rovers with no realistic prospect of climbing the table before the seasons climax and a danger of descending, possibly even propping up the table.

East Stirlingshire : O'Connor, Gibb (Moffat 80), Kevin McBride, Oates, Bolochoweckyj, King (McKenzie 68), Donaldson (Black 74), Brand, Rodgers, Nicholls, Ure. Subs Not Used : Paul McBride, McIntyre.

Albion Rovers : Scott, Buckley, Reid, Robert Walker, Benton, Ferry, Barr (Ally Martin 80), McKenzie, William Martin, Watson (Connell 80), Pat Walker. Subs Not Used : McStay, McDougal, Mitchell.

Referee : Willie Hornby

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