Elgin City 0 v 2 Albion Rovers

Attendance : 526

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : McFarlane (31), Canning (35).

Albion Rovers improved their lead at the top of the table with a comfortable win in Elgin. If continuing their unbeaten run wasn't enough incentive for the Coatbridge men comments in the match programme spurred the visitors on.

Within a couple of minutes from the start Bobby Barr provided Marc Pollock the ball in space, the striker got into position but his low drive proved to be just wide of the target. Barr was once more in the thick of things shortly afterwards when he cut in from the touchline and tried unsuccessfully to beat the 'keeper at the near post.

Craig Frizzell was on the attack when Alan Benton interjected to foil his efforts. Rovers hearts missed a beat when Mark Nicolson's attempt from 25 yards was touched onto the post by Derek Gaston.

When Michael McGowan intercepted the ball in his own box few thought he'd take the ball himself. He ran almost the whole length of the pitch before losing possession. Barr set Pollock on another run toward the Elgin goal, he came in from the side from a tight angle but John Gibson was equal to it.

In 31 minutes Rovers grabbed the lead in a somewhat unconventional manner. A Mark Canning corner hit goalward by Paul Tyrrell blocked on the line only for Dave McFarlane puting it in but coming out once more, only for the referee to indicate it had crossed the line.

Four minutes later Rovers doubled their lead in a move initiated by City's Jason Crooks hitting he ball over his own shoulder towards his sides penalty area. McFarlane was grateful and passed to Pollock who in turn put it into the path of Canning who drilled a low shot into the net.

Kyle Macaulay had a chance to redress the balance for Elgin but his poorly hit daisy cutter was wide of the mark. Michael Dunn then had an equally misguided assault on Rovers goal. Rovers were on the attack once more and McFarlane hit a vicious shot which John Gibson put out for an unproductive corner.

McGowan stopped another promising City attack and play switched ends where Pollock fired a strong shot into the side-netting. The first period ended with Elgin attacking and Barr back fending off the men in black and white.

Half-Time

The visitors started immediately from the restart and McFarlane took advantage of poor defending to go one on one with the City 'keeper. He blasted a shot which rebounded to safety off the advancing goalies legs.

Next Elgin were on the attack when Dunn was given a chance when the defence failed to clear despite having a couple of opportunities to do so. The resultant shot was over the crossbar. A long ball upfield beat the home defence and found Pollock who ran forward only to slip the ball low past the post.

In 63 minutes a brace of shots from Barr and another from McFarlane were blocked by well placed defenders. A difficult situation close to the corner at Rovers end of the pitch was diffused by the interception of Michael O'Byrne.

Gaston was called on in 69 minutes and didn't disappoint when he went down at the feet of an attacker to halt his progress. Another vital McGowan tackle was followed a few minutes later by Dunn firing and a Rovers man deflecting it out for a corner which came to nothing.

A disappointing second half ended with Steven McKeown hitting the ball from a tight angle only for Gibson to stop.

Summary

Rovers just go from strength to strength, their 4th match without conceding a goal thanks to the award winning 'keeper and his equally worthy defence. It's a long haul to the end of the season but Rovers are top of the division and it's a good time to be a fan of the Cliftonhill club.

Elgin City : Gibson, Dempsie, Niven, Kaczan, Michael Dunn, Edwards (Calder 63), Gunn, Macaulay (Cameron 80), Frizzell, Nicolson, Crooks (Smith 58). Subs Not Used : David A Craig, Steven Dunn.

Albion Rovers : Gaston, Reid, McGowan, Canning, Benton, O'Byrne, McKeown, Tyrrell, McFarlane, Pollock (Walker 72), Barr (Crozier 65).
Subs Not Used : Stewart, Ferry, Ewings.

Referee : Craig MacKay

Man of the Match - Michael McGowan

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