East Stirlingshire 4 v 5 Albion Rovers

Attendance : 239

Scorers ~ East Stirlingshire : Brand (2, 61), Ure 27, Savage 33. Albion Rovers : Gemmell (35, 47, 63, 75), Chisholm (54).

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times to quote Dickens and that pretty much summed up this match. Played throughout in horrendous weather alternating between rain and snow made worse by a biting wind. It was a non-stop rip roaring match which those who braved the wintry conditions will feel rewarded by.

Within seconds of the start an East Stirlingshire corner was received by former Rover Marc McKenzie who hit it off the metalwork. Another corner led Craig Donaldson to blast a shot from 25 yards which rebounded off 'keeper David Scotts legs. A third corner from the far side swung in close to the near post and was headed in by Andy Brand over the head of a Rovers man on the line. This all happened within the opening two minutes of the game.

A long ball cross field from the far touchline found Joe Savage unmarked on the penalty spot, Scott was down quickly to stop the acrobatic attempt from the former Rovers hitman. Next Donaldson struck a viciously inswinging free-kick which Scott punched as he was fouled, so gaining a free-kick of his own.

Kenny Wright came close for Rovers as he managed to step around Savage at the corner of the homesters 6 yard box. His shot trundled across the goal and just past the wrong side of the post. Then it was 'Shire who came close when a Kevin McBride free-kick curled with the wind off the far post and to safety.

Jamie McKenzie took a free-kick which gave Pat Walker the opportunity to try his luck but it ended up going over the bar. Then an Iain Chisholm cross brought Roddy hunter into the fray but the prolific goalscorer headed to the 'keeper.

In 27 minutes 'Shire increased their lead when Derek Ure struck from the corner of the penalty box, Scott got a hand to it but it was in vain. A Wright shot was deflected past for a corner which proved fruitless.

In 33 minutes Savage scored the third 'Shire goal after a Donaldson run ended with a 20 yard shot that Scott palmed straight to the targetman within his 6 yard box.

Instead of sitting back and thinking the match was effectively over as some fans may have considered Rovers instead pushed forward. Within a couple of minutes they pulled one back when a Callan Adam corner found John Gemmell in front of the near post and his glancing header was enough.

A long ball to Hunter at the "d" on the edge of 'Shires box was met with a strong but low shot which Darren Hill was equal to.

Half-Time

No doubt gaffer John McCormack had something to say to his players at half time and it paid off just a couple of minutes after the restart. A long pass from the centre circle to Gemmell on the far wing saw him evade two defenders run towards goal and unleash a low ball between another two 'Shire men. It avoided the 'keeper as it entered the corner of the net and viewers sensed that perhaps the result wasn't a foregone conclusion after all.

A Brand effort drove across Rovers goal and seemed destined for the "postage stamp" but went a tad too far. In 54 minutes a McKenzie free-kick whipped into the packed home box, Chisholm appeared from nowhere to head the ball home and incredibly it was three goals apiece.

With celebrations from Rovers fans still ringing in their ears 'Shire went ahead again, Donaldson's weaving run ended with a pinpoint pass to Brand in and he easily beat Scott in 61 minutes.

Undaunted Rovers pressed forward and within two minutes they were level once more, a McKenzie free-kick into the box was rammed home by Gemmell to claim his hat-trick.

Substitute Sean Simpson should have restored the home sides lead in 70 minutes when a brilliant pass upfield found him running in on goal. He managed to outwit Richard Buckley and Robert Walker to enter the box and with only Scott to beat he inexplicably drilled the ball weakly past Scott and the post.

A Savage header missed the target just before Rovers took the lead for the first time in the match. A cross from close to the nearside corner was headed down by Gemmell, 'keeper Hill made contact with it on his line but not enough and Hunter was there to make it difficult for him. It could also be argued that Hunter scored the winner but Rovers fans aren't worrying about who got the final touch.

Summary

A blistering start to the match by East Stirlingshire who were well worthy of their three goal lead but a gutsy fightback by Albion Rovers who deservedly left Firs Park with all three points. Jamie McKenzie was outstanding in this match but it's hard not to give the man of the match accolade to the man who scored at least three!

East Stirlingshire : Hill, Gibb, McBride, Doyle, King (Oates 64), Brownlie (Simpson 64), McKenzie, Brand, Savage, Donaldson, Ure. Subs Not Used : Moffat, Upton, Mitchell.

Albion Rovers : Scott, Buckley, Chisholm, Robert Walker, Benton, Patrick Walker, Wright, McKenzie, Hunter (Dimilta 89), Adam, Gemmell. Subs Not Used : McStay, Watson, Reid, Mitchell.

Referee : Craig MacKay

Man of the Match - John Gemmell

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