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Forfar Athletic 1 v 0 Albion Rovers |  |
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Forfar Athletic 1 v 0 Albion Rovers | |
| Irn-Bru League Third Division 26th February 2008 |
Attendance : 270
Scorers ~ Forfar Athletic : Anton (59).
Almost surprisingly despite gale force gusts and a generally unpredictable wind this match went ahead in Rovers first visit to Station Park, Forfar in almost five years for a battle to stay in with a chance of a play-off place. Forfar had their own battle in mind however, to come off the bottom of the table which their three points enabled.
Within 60 seconds of kick-off Chris Hughes nodded the ball over the Forfar crossbar. A couple of minutes later Michele Lombardi dragged the ball somewhat weakly wide of the Rovers goal.
Another Hughes header over following a corner preceded David Scott struggling to deal with what appeared to be a straightforward ball on the ground. the danger was eventually cleared.
A long Graeme Watson ball found John Gemmell at the corner of the Loons box, his wind assisted shot didn't miss by much. Just to show the strength of the wind Ciaran Donnelly fired a free-kick from 50 yards which was on target but didn't trouble 'keeper Sandy Wood unduly.
Gemmell was once more up for it, he worked hard close to the homesters box to make space to unleash a shot, regrettably a defender was between him and the goal. A Chris Anton corner was headed down by veteran Steve Kerrigan, the bounce was unpredictable but proved harmless in the end.
Alan Benton saw his 35 yard effort saved by Wood them on the stroke of half-time a Martyn Fotheringham free-kick from the edge of Rovers box rebounded from Scotts hands.
Half-Time
Lombardi tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the box which proved very strong and Scott could only divert it onto the top of his crossbar and thence to safety. A minute later Forfar took the lead when the resultant corner pinged about the box a few times and eventually Sean Kilgannon's cross was met with a glancing Anton header into the net.
An apparent foul on Richard Buckley went unnoticed by the referee leading to Steven McNally having the opportunity to blast the ball off the crossbar from 25 yards. Pat Walker came close a couple of times before a Watson inswinging corner was punched clear by the Loons 'keeper at his near post.
Kilgannon was the provider when Alan Cruickshank headed win in 80 minutes. On the 90 minute mark a Buckley ball through the assembled defence found Gemmell who blasted the ball high and wide.
Summary
A disappointing display by Rovers who should really have come away with a point.
Forfar Athletic : Wood, McNally, Anton, Stephen, Ovenstone, Donnachie, Lombardi (Cruickshank 74), Kilgannon, Geddes, Kerrigan (Smith 32), Fotheringham. Subs Not Used : Dunn, Duell, Butter.
Albion Rovers : Scott, Buckley, Donnelly, Reid, Benton, Donald, Patrick Walker, Hughes, Gemmell, Watson, Chisholm. Subs Not Used: McStay, McDougal, Ally Martin, Mitchell.
Referee : G. Salmond
