Latest January 2006

Berwick Win
Rovers lost 1 - 0 to Berwick in a dour match at Cliftonhill today. Although the English side dominated much of the game Rovers did have some good chances to grab a point or more. Captain Scott Friel missed the match due to suspension and "Big Abou" featured again this week but was literally only on for seconds before the final whistle sounded.

'Keeper
As we said yesterday Gary McGlynn has indeed signed from Alloa Athletic to replace Allan Creer who was bought by the Clackmananshire side. He made some impressive saves today although he wasn't taxed too often by Berwick.

5000th Goal
Sales of the 5000th goal predictions went well today and one punter has already said it shall be an own-goal (we shall not reveal in which match).

New Chat
Scott Chaplain is the focus of the rather brief Chappie's Chat this week.

Creer
It seems that 'keeper Allan Creer who's impressed in the last 4 matches since Jamie Ewings broke a bone in his foot has been sold to Alloa Athletic. There is a suggestion that former Alloa number 1 choice 'keeper Gary McGlynn, released by the club yesterday shall be his replacement.

5000th Goal Competition
Today sees the launch of the Albion Rovers Supporters' Trust 5000th goal competition. As you may know Albion Rovers are fast approaching their 5000th goal in the Scottish Football League since joining in 1903. At the time of writing they've scored 4987. The prize is 50% of the cash taken in with a guaranteed minimum of £150 plus a £50 bonus if the winning prediction is placed 14 days or more before the match in which the goal is scored.

Departures
This week has seen the departure of forward Tommy Franch who managed just one start this season as well as a few appearances from the bench. Also departing Cliftonhill, temporarily at least is Lee Wilson who has been loaned back to Dunipace from whom Rovers signed the striker a year ago.

Reserves Draw
Rovers reserves drew 1 - 1 at Cappielow last night their line-up being Quinn, Baird, Sideserf, Friel, Abou, Doyle, Sichi, Chisholm, Selkirk, Bonnar, Love. Subs - Brown, Lygate, Middleton, Alexander.

Kit
As readers of the message board shall know general manager John Reynolds had proposed new home and away kits for next season. After gauging the opinion of fans which was almost unanimously in favour of the new gear the club shall not be buying these in due to the high costs. Worry not as a couple of suppliers have been lined up to provide alternatives and the fans shall once more be consulted as the appropriate juncture.

Old Boys Sink Rovers
Goals from Jamie McKenzie and Mark Booth cancelled out Rovers scorer Craig Young's cracking opener to grab all three points. Although City had more possession and chances a winner just 3 minutes from time was particularly unwelcome for Rovers fans who'd travelled the 185 miles from Coatbridge.

With so many injuries, Jim Chapman probably couldn't put out the side he'd liked to have. One point of note was "Big Abou" making his official debut as an 87 minute substitute.

Chappie's Chat
The new edition (number 27) of Chappie's Chat is now online, and has this week been written by the head-coach himself.

Injuries
Rovers team at Borough Briggs tomorrow may have a few less familiar faces as the club was compared to Emergency Ward 10 in Chappies interview on L107 this evening. 'Keeper Jamie Ewings is out of course, Tommy Lennox, Scott Chaplain, Andy Sim, George Wallace and Stephen Donachy are all rated extremely doubtful.

Elgin's caretaker player/manager Jamie McKenzie who picked up the Bell's award for manager of the month in December is likely to start on the bench as he's recovering from a virus.

Simply Marvelous
Rovers climbed to 7th in the league table with a 3-1 win over East Fife at Cliftonhill today setting up a 6 pointer at Borough Briggs against an Elgin team under the management of former Rover Jamie McKenzie. City are trailing Rovers on goal difference.

No bad goals from Rovers but Andy Sim was just brilliant when he scored the 2nd!

A match report shall be on the site later.

Quiz
You may remember that when the Rovers supporters' trust v Airdrie supporters' trust quiz night was held at Cliftonhill last September it was to be a reciprocal arrangement. The return is to be held in the Airdrie stadium (main entrance) starting at 7.00pm on Friday 17th February. Teams of (approx) 4 will cost £10.00 per table and it will be run similar to the one at Cliftonhill. Another two or three clubs have been invited to take part, so it should be a large event.

Your webmaster fully intends to defend his teams title - lets show them what we can do (again)!

Chappie's Chat
The new edition (number 25) of Chappie's Chat is now online, and has this week been handed over to Lee Sichi!

Outstanding Fixtures
The word from Cliftonhill is that we shall not know when the outstanding home match against Arbroath and away match at Stenhousemuir will be played until around the middle of February when the SFL shall name the dates.

Trust News
Some interesting news has just been posted on the supporters trust page. Items include the dogs returning to Cliftonhill for one night only!

Home Win
Rovers gained their first home win of the season over perennial underdogs East Stirlingshire at Cliftonhill today. The 'Shire didn't make it easy for Rovers as they equalised twice but Rovers won 4-2, new boy Andy Sim impressed not least by bagging one himself! Rovers move 9 points clear of the 'Shire with a game in hand and are just a couple of points behind Montrose who've played 2 games more.

Match On!
Despite cold weather and forecasts of freezing conditions the temperature in Coatbridge hasn't been too bad and the East Stirlingshire match today is on! This is Rovers first match at Cliftonhill since the Partick Thistle cup replay way back on 22nd November and what better way to start the year could we hope for to get our first home win of the season and pull further away from bottom dogs 'Shire.

New Signing
Winger 18 year old Andy Sim has signed from Hamilton Accies whom he joined when just 14. The Supporters' Trust is of course looking for player sponsors for any new signings which shall appear in the appropriate section of the programme - costs just £15 as we are well into the season. Andy Sim has already been snapped up though!

Q&A
This week's Chappies Chat is the question and answer session conducted by email.

10 Men Gain Draw
Rovers brought in 2006 with a hard fought for draw at Hampden. Their first real attack at the amateurs goal resulted in Scott Chaplain scoring. Queen's had the upper hand much of the first half and took control after Stephen Donachy was red-carded but a combination of good defending and inept shooting meant they only scored once.

Allan Creer impressed in his first outing in goal replacing the injured Ewings.