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Albion Rovers 1 v 1 Stenhousemuir |  |
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Albion Rovers 1 v 1 Stenhousemuir | |
| Irn-Bru League 3rd Division 18th August 2007 |
Attendance : 339
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Wright (74). Stenhousemuir Dempster (18 pen).
Any fears that this second versus third match wouldn't go ahead due to torrential were assuaged as soon as anyone saw the pitch which had coped admirably with the deluge. Once more a penalty kick would prove crucial to the outcome of this game, incredibly it was no less than the 14th at Cliftonhill in the space a week when the CIS shootout is included.
Soon after the kick-off Stenhousemuir were on the attack, Ross Hamilton crossing the ball to Tom Murdoch but instead being intercepted by Pat Walker.
The penalty was awarded by Mr. Boyd in 17 minutes when Ciaran Donnelly brought down John Dempster from behind just as he entered the Rovers area. After a yellow card being shown to the Rovers captain it was Dempster himself who put the ball tantalisingly close to Lee Thompson's fingers.
Craig McEwan almost made it two for the Warriors when he skelped the ball from 30 yards and saw it whizz past the Rovers post. Rovers had a chance of their own shortly afterwards as Jamie McKenzie flighted in a corner to the Stenhousemuir box which Scott Friel struck but was blocked before doing any damage.
Once more McEwan came close, this time a screamer from 20 yards was tipped past the post by Thompson. Undeterred by not hitting the target he then had a go with a 25 yard free-kick but the assembled Rovers wall proved superfluous as the ball ballooned over the crossbar.
On the brink of half-time Kenny Wright put the ball into the visitors box, John Hillcoat palmed the ball out but no Rovers man was in a position to take advantage of the loose ball.
Half-Time
After the restart Rovers looked the stronger gaining a corner which was, as always taken by McKenzie. Friel gained another corner which was to prove unproductive. Steven Hampshire tried his luck for the Larbert side but a defender blocked his effort at the edge of Rovers penalty box.
An Iain Chisholm shot didn't look too worrisome for the Stenhousemuir defence until Walker flicked it inches wide of the target. Stenhousemuir tried to hit back and a move up the far wing produced a cross to Murdoch whose shot left much to be desired. Undaunted they ploughed on, Hamilton providing the ball to Murdoch only for the midfielder to weakly poke the ball to Thompson.
Thompson was there again to thwart the visitors when he caught a low Jamie Smith ball into his box. It was then Rovers turn to have the upper hand when Wright had a decent shot stopped by Hillcoat.
In 74 minutes the breakthrough came for Rovers when Walker hit a cross cum shot which Wright smacked into the net from a few yards out. A hesitant Rovers move fizzled out soon after when the Stenhousemuir men got a chance to regroup.
Warriors came close to regaining the advantage when Dempster headed Paul Tyrrell's corner over Thompson's bar. Next up was McKenzie who gained the ball stepped to one side from his marker and unleashed a fearsome shot which Hillcoat was equal to.
Substitute Brian McLaughlin failed with an attempt shortly before his side could and perhaps should have snatched a victory in the dying seconds. Craig Menzies was first to have a go but it didn't get through the packed defence and it fell to Dempster whose own effort rattled the post amidst a good old fashioned stramash.
Summary
Yet another battling performance by Rovers who may have been somewhat fatigued by Tuesday nights 120 minutes and penalties. Their 100% league record turned into an unbeaten league record and it sets the Coatbridge men up well for next Saturdays trip to Dumbarton.
Albion Rovers : Thompson, McStay, Reid, Donnelly, Benton, Friel, Chisholm, McKenzie, Hunter (McGeough 33), Patrick Walker, Wright. Subs Not Used : Smith, Dimilta, McGowan, McLenaghan.
Stenhousemuir : Hillcoat, Lyle, McEwan, Tyrrell, Smith, Gilbride, Hamilton (Menzies 78), Dempster, Hampshire, Murdoch (Lindsay 73), John Dillon (McLaughlin 63). Subs Not Used : Thomson, Strachan.
Referee: A. Boyd
Man of the Match : Kenny Wright