Latest March 2003

This afternoon, Rovers' Under 18s drew 2-2 with Cowdenbeath in the opening match of their League Cup sectional competition. After Cowden had taken an early lead, a Gary Robertson goal just before the break restored equality and although the visitors again edged ahead, Chris Myles' 55th minute strike again brought things level.

Late
A poor showing for 77 minutes saw Rovers down 1-0 but within 2 minutes of introducing Chazz McLean we're 2-1 up! The man himself got the first and for the second week in a row Mark Yardley scored the winning goal at Borough Briggs.

Rovers have now gone 10 games unbeaten, our last defeat was against next week's visitors to Cliftonhill (Morton). With all outstanding postponed games now played Rovers lie in fourth position only one point off joint second place teams Morton and Peterhead. As Rovers still have to play both of them our destiny is in our own hands, win all six remaining fixtures and we'll be promoted.

Youths Draw
Rovers under 18's drew 2-2 with Stenhousemuir at Cliftonhill tonight. Chris Mackie with a penalty and Paul Ross scored for Rovers. Stenny equalised with the last kick of the game.

Injury Luck Continues

For the umpteenth successive week, there are no injuries to report from Rovers' camp. Chris Silvestro, substituted at Elgin last week after taking a knock, Trained with the rest of the lads on Tuesday and will be available for selection on Saturday.

Although most of the tables for this 30th May event have now been snapped-up, General Manager John Reynolds is anxious to have the remaining few allocated as soon as possible. All enquiries to John at the club.

Manager Peter Hetherston has admitted that there is no magic formula to Rovers' tremendous form which has seen them win ten away league matches - more than all but two other teams in Scotland. Only Rangers, with eleven, can top Rovers' record, while First Division St. Johnstone have also won ten on the road.

"There is no big reason for it" said Silky. "We like to get the ball down and pass it. Sometimes the surfaces are a bit better away from home."

Having now completed his two-match suspension, influential midfielder Todd Lumsden is back in contention for a place in the squad to face Elgin City at Borough Briggs on Saturday. Apart from the bookings which led to his enforced absence, Todd has been having a great season and his drive and experience will undoubtedly be a vital cog in the remaining seven crucial fixtures.

The appeal by manager Peter Hetherston against his touchline ban is not the fact that he was found to be in breach of regulations, but rather that the sentence is too severe. Rovers, and the boss, looked at the lesser punishment handed out to other parties for what might be considered more serious offences, and decided to lodge their objection. At the moment, it is not known when the appeal will be heard, so Peter is free to operate as normal in the interim.

Rovers' senior youngsters are in action this week when they take on Stenhousemuir's babes at Cliftonhill on Thursday night, kick-off 7.30 pm.

Elgin
David Robertson was a surprise choice to be the new Elgin manager and his first game in charge was a defeat. Mark "boom boom" Yardley was Rovers hero when it seemed that they'd continue the recent run of dominate but struggle to score winning goals. Rovers manager Peter Hetherston was a surprise sight in the technical area. Apparently he has appealed against his ban which suspends the punishment until the appeal is heard.

The Elgin programme reveals that the club are actively considering resigning from the league and rejoining the Highland League. Apparently they aren't happy at the crowd sizes and expect about another 500 through the gates for Highland League matches. They do realise that the crowds aren't great at the moment because the team is playing badly, why they'd necessarily play better against different opposition isn't clear!

Elgin
Rovers leave Coatbridge for Elgin tomorrow night, hoping that the relaxed start to Saturday instead of four hours in a bus will ensure a win. They will do the same exactly a week later for the second trip to Borough Briggs which kicks off at 1pm. Peter Hetherston reports no injuries.

Keepieuppie
Keepieuppie expert Graeme Lightbody will once more be at Cliftonhill to show off his skills. He'll do his stuff at half-time at our next home game (v Morton on April 5th).

Rovers' boss Peter Hetherston today appeared before the SFA Disciplinary Committee to answer changes in relation to an incident at Cappielow, and was banned from the dugout for eight matches (ie for the remainder of the season) as well as being fined £100.

This afternoon at Cliftonhill, Rovers' reserves were beaten 2-0 by Falkirk who netted in each half. Rovers, with a sprinkling of experience in their line-up, really should have had at least a share of the points, but bad finishing cost them such a result.

The delayed second-round Reserve League Cup tie against Brechin City will take place at Glebe Park on Tuesday 1st April at 7.30 pm. Let's hope the date is not an omen for the lads!

Aussies Now Online!
Albion Rovers Soccer Club of Australia now have an official website www.albionrovers.tk.

The draw for the youth League Cup has grouped Rovers' youngsters with Hamilton Accies, East Fife, Forfar and Cowdenbeath, with the first match - home to Cowden - scheduled for w/c 30th March. It would seem that the authorities have missed the chance to show a bit of commonsense by not instituting a geographical element to the competition.

Reserve Fixture
Rovers reserves are playing Falkirk tomorrow at Cliftonhill with a 2pm kick-off.

Rovers Draw With 12 Man Fifers
Rovers slipped to fourth place after drawing 1-1 at Methil in their eight game unbeaten. The twelfth man was of course Referee Conroy who seemed to miss many of the Fifers fouls and seemed more than a little reluctant to book them when he did spot something! The first Fifers foul was in 20 seconds when Jim Dick was flattened.

Newall Stays
According to the man himself he is definitely not going to be the new Cumbernauld manager.

Newall Off?

Today's Daily Record reports : "Bobby Crilly and Albion Rovers' reserve coach Dennis Newall have been tipped to replace sacked Cumbernauld boss Stuart Miller ahead of the Rockware first division clash with Renfrew." As that match is today, might we have seen the last of Dennis at Cliftonhill?

With John McCaig now fit, only Todd Lumsden will be unavailable for tomorrow's crunch match against East Fife at New Bayview. Lumsden, suspended for two matches, will also miss the trip to Elgin next week.

Not Again!
For the second match in just four days at Cliftonhill Rovers utterly controlled a game coming close on so many occasions everybody lost count but still couldn't get the killer goal! Although the first half was relatively even, Rovers dominated the second half almost completely. As Morton were held at home to Stirling Albion Rovers league position hasn't suffered too much but East Fife must be rubbing their hands with glee.

Referee & Poor Finishing To Blame
Rovers murdered Gretna 1-1 at Cliftonhill today. With an overwhelming possession of the ball they just couldn't get the ball in the net. A Rovers near miss immediately turned into a goal for Gretna (their first shot of the match). Rovers unused sub Jim Dick managed to get booked after a disagreement with the standside assistant referee (sparked by JD standing outside the "technical area"). Assistant manager Jock McStay was lucky to escape unpunished when he approached the visitors bench near the end.

The main incident was when referee Smith blew his whistle to give Rovers a free-kick outside the box just as a Rovers shot went into the net. Apparently he's never heard of the advantage rule! A win against close (in league table terms anyway) Peterhead on Tuesday is now a 100% must!

We understand that manager Peter Hetherston once again has the luxury of a full squad at his disposal for this week's visit of Gretna to Cliftonhill.

General Manager John Reynolds reports that around 75% of the available tables for the forthcoming Sportsman's Dinner in Airdrie Town Hall have been booked - a most satisfactory number considering that the event is still twelve weeks away. Supporters who are interested in attending the parallel event upstairs are asked to tell organiser Chic Young as soon as possible.

Only 3!
Rovers disappointed the fans by not scoring four for the third match in a row. Unfortunately Peterhead & East Fife both won so Rovers don't climb the league too far, although we leapfrog Morton who weren't playing.

A full report including pics and mini-videos of all three of our goals will be linked here later.

New Column

Read the new edition of the Charles McLean column HERE.

Lumsden Out For Two

The disciplinary points accumulated by Todd Lumsden's bookings this season have now caught up with him and the influential defender/midfielder will miss the important away matches against East Fife and Elgin City on 15th and 22nd March.

Another Win
Controversial 'Shire manager (and ex-Rover) Danny Diver missed his team being humbled 4-0 by Rovers at Firs Park this afternoon. Jim Mercer answered his critics with two goals and came very close to getting a third, Mark Yardley bagged one and Charles McLean got his first since 30th November.