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Albion Rovers 0 v 0 Forfar Athletic |  |
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Albion Rovers 0 v 0 Forfar Athletic | |
| Irn-Bru League 3rd Division 9th February 2008 |
Attendance : 232
Sometimes a blank scoresheet belies an exciting game pulsating with quality play throughout, sadly this wasn't one of those occasions! Danny Ferry made his debut for Rovers after playing the previous match as a trialist and Michael McGowan made a welcome return to the field after a long period out through injury.
In nine minutes Bryan Duell blasting the ball high over Rovers goal was the first thing vaguely worthwhile writing down. In 15 minutes an inswinger into the Forfar six yard box caused a stramash with Jamie McKenzie and John Gemmell having shots blocked by a packed defence.
Another Gemmell shot a few minutes later was blocked by 'keeper Sand Wood causing a corner which Rovers failed to capitalise on. A John Fraser wayward effort worried nobody.
In 25 minutes a foul for which Neil Stephen was shown the yellow card despite claims it was in fact Barry Donnachie who committed the offence saw McKenzie removed from the field on a stretcher. There was a considerable delay whilst the first aiders awaited an ambulance to take the unfortunate midfielder to hospital with what was at the time thought to be a broken leg or ankle.
An indirect free-kick inches inside the visitors box was slipped to Ciaran Donnelly who proceeded to launch it far over the crossbar. The half ended with Kenny Wright crossing to Gemmell in the Forfar box and the forward appeared to be shoved off the ball but referee Hornby steamed on regardless.
Half-Time
Rovers had the ball in the net in 48 minutes when Pat Walker passed to Gemmell who bundled it over the line. Before celebrations could get underway the assistant referee indicated offside.
Alan Reid followed precedent by firing over in 51 minutes, Donnelly did likewise soonafter. Stephen McNally then came close to gifting Rovers the lead when he headed the ball just over his own crossbar.
A cracking inswinging corner taken by Wright almost caught the 'keeper napping but he arrived at his near post a nanosecond before the ball. At the other end David Scott was forced to advance from his penalty box to clear in the nick of time. Weak defending by Rovers gave Duell an opportunity which he squandered.
Ferry drove the ball past the post in 75 minutes, veteran striker Steve Kerrigan then had a pop from long-range which Scott smothered close to goal.
In 89 minutes Martyn Fotheringham who'd only come off the bench 15 minutes earlier was shown a straight red card by Mr. Hornby for abusing the official.
On the stroke of 90 minutes a Richard Buckley cross to Donnelly 3 yards from goal resulted in the midfielder contriving to blast over one last time.
Summary
Luckily Jamie McKenzie's injury proved not to be a broken bone and he returned to Cliftonhill after the match able to stand. He is likely however to miss some games whilst recuperating and his presence could be strongly missed. A crucial game for both teams and neither deserved all three points. Forfar remain bottom and Rovers keep an eye on a play-off place.
Albion Rovers : Scott, Buckley, McGowan, Donnelly, Hughes, Donald (Chisholm 76), Ferry, McKenzie (Reid 25), Gemmell, Pat Walker, Wright. Subs Not Used : Ally Martin, Benton, Mitchell.
Forfar Athletic : Wood, McNally, Smith, Stephen, Ovenstone, Donnachie, Duell (Fotheringham 74), Fraser, Geddes, Kerrigan, Stuart (Kilgannon 82). Subs Not Used : Dunn, McCallum, Butter.
Referee : Willie Hornby