 |
Stranraer 3 v 0 Albion Rovers |  |
|
Stranraer 3 v 0 Albion Rovers | |
| Irn-Bru League Third Division 19th April 2008 |
Attendance : 280
Scorers ~ Stranraer : McConalogue (28), White (75), Dobbins (85).
The Albion Rovers team which turned out at Stair Park had a makeshift look about it with many contenders for a starting place being ruled out through injury. Indeed the Rovers bench was a player shy of it's full compliment of substitutes. Perhaps then, it wasn't surprising that the home side already guaranteed a play-off place but wishing a point to claim the coveted 2nd place didn't struggle.
Ciaran Donnelly and Chris Hughes made welcome returns after recovering from their wounds.
Within 30 seconds of the kick-off Stranraer fans and players were claiming a penalty. Michael Mullen was through on goal and chipped the ball goalward as 'keeper Tony Mitchell advancing towards him. The pair collided as the ball missed the target but Mr. Boyle said no penalty.
Andy Gibson started in a positive vein for the home side when his 20 yard free-kick although strong went straight onto the arms of Tony Mitchell.
In 28 minutes the breakthrough came for Stranraer when Gregory Tade received the ball from Michael Mullen in front of goal, holding back the defender he laid the ball off to Stephen McConalogue to thrust home from six yards.
A Mullen trundler didn't cause much problem for Mitchell before Tade contrived to put the ball over the crossbar from five yards on the stroke of half-time.
Half-Time
The second period was at least as one sided as the first, Rovers rarely getting into the last third of the pitch. James Creaney crossed the ball to Alex White in front of Rovers goal, this resulted in a weak effort direct to Mitchell. Seconds later a Mullen free-kick from 25 yards just cleared the "postage stamp" as Mitchell got there.
Shortly afterwards McConalogue rattled the crossbar from 25 yards after John Kane cut the ball back to him. Next up for the Blues was James McKinstry whose low and powerful drive was stopped by Mitchell.
Another McConalogue shot was blocked before a rare foray upfield by Rovers was thwarted when a defender trapped Bobby Barr's shot. Willie Martin had appeared to be offside when providing the on-loan player with the opportunity.
A quality save by Mitchell preceded the second Stranraer goal, Alex White heading home an Andy Gibson corner from close range. Kane firing wide was soon followed by Willie Martin heading the ball to Scott Black at the other end of the pitch.
White kept the status quo when he managed to shoot wide of an open Rovers goal. Four minutes later former Rover Iain Dobbins concluded the scoring when he knocked in from close range after another Gibson corner.
Tade heading over Rovers crossbar was the last act of the match before the referee sounded his whistle.
Summary
Albion Rovers were always going to struggle against a team in the play-offs but they weren't at the races.
Stranraer : Black, McKinstry, Creaney, Dobbins, Noble, Kane (Cashmore 87), Gibson, White, Mullen (Cochrane 87), McConalogue (McColm 76), Tade. Subs Not Used : McLaughlin, Alan Ferguson.
Albion Rovers : Tommy Mitchell, Buckley (Robert Walker 84), Donnelly, Hughes, Reid, Donald, Barr (McStay 87), Ferry, William Martin, Graham Watson, Ally Martin (McDougal 73). Sub Not Used : Scott.
Referee : Chris Boyle
