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Albion Rovers 2 v 1 Berwick Rangers |  |
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Albion Rovers 2 v 1 Berwick Rangers | |
| The Irn-Bru League Third Division 15th August 2009 |
Attendance : 322
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Barr (7 Pen), Walker (62). Berwick Rangers : Brazil (21).
The first home league match of the season and despite a couple of missing faces Rovers included the dynamo Bobby Barr who had been an injury worry beforehand. Rovers defeated the Borderers in four out of five meetings of the sides last term, the remaining one being a draw so hopes were high in the Cliftonhill crowd.
In three minutes Fraser McLaren ran across the Rovers goal and shot wide. Next up was Pat Walker whose run ended with a shot that was turned out.
In six minutes the game changed when a David McFarlane shot was cleared off the visitors goal line. The ball fell to Walker whose shot was handled on the line by Stuart Callaghan, inevitably he was red carded and a penalty awarded. Barr coolly slotted home from 12 yards.
As often happens the team missing a player stepped up a gear and had the majority of the possession without achieving much until, that is, the 21st minute. That was when Alan Brazil scored from outside the box with a spectacular dipping shot.
Berwick had the best of the play until half-time.
Half-Time
Chris Boyle tried his luck with a long range effort which was saved by former Cliftonhill goalie Mark Peat. A few minutes later a long Barr ball intended for McFarlane was caught by Peat within his six yard box.
In 62 minutes Rovers took what proved to be an unassailable lead when Barr had a shot stopped, the ball made it to Boyle who fired in a shot which was directed into the net off the backside of Walker. Rovers were on a high and a cracking Barr dipping shot was saved by the diving Peat shortly afterwards.
Mark Canning had a go with a strong 35 yard free-kick which was caught by Peat. With three minutes remaining Canning had another opportunity to score from 35 yards as Peat was caught well out of his area but the ball missed by a small margin.
Summary
Not the best Albion Rovers performance of the season but it takes them to joint top position on the table after a couple of games. Focus now moves to progressing in the ALBA challenge cup.
Albion Rovers : Gaston, Reid, McGowan, Canning, Benton, O'Byrne, Boyle, Tyrrell, McFarlane (McCusker 78), Walker, Barr. Subs Not Used : McKeown, Stewart, Crozier, Ewings.
Berwick Rangers : Peat, Notman, Smith, Guy, McLean, Callaghan, McLaren, Currie, Brazil, Little (Radzynski 88), Greenhill (Gray 78). Subs Not Used : McMenamin, Russell, Ellison.
Referee : Euan Anderson
Man of the Match : Bobby Barr