Montrose 0 v 1 Albion Rovers 
Division 3
30th November 2002
Montrose 0 v 1 Albion Rovers
Division 3
30th November 2002
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Movie
Attendance : 307
Scorer ~ Albion Rovers : McLean (78)
Determination, perseverance, resolve - and, of course, a golden goal by Charles McLean - were the ingredients which gave Rovers this hard-fought victory in a match which would have had the purists tearing their hair out. No, it certainly was no classic, and Montrose will feel aggrieved that they emerged with nothing to show for their endeavour. However, although Rovers will play better and lose, it is indeed goals that count, and one was enough.
Although Rovers seemed to allow their opponents far too much space at times, especially out on the wings, the Montrose finishing left much to be desired and ‘keeper Scott Shearer had an easy afternoon as the home support vented their anger on their non-producing heroes.
Rovers fielded Iain Diack and James Coulter in place of the injured Andy Paterson and the suspended Chris Silvestro, with Jim Dick finding a place on the bench beside youngsters Mark Weir and Mark Richardson.
Five minutes had passed before either goal was even threatened, Montrose’s Kevin Webster hitting high over the crossbar from the edge of the box. In the 14th minute, a quick free-kick by Kevin McAllister allowed Jim Mercer to put an overhead kick back across goal where Diack headed narrowly over. Much of the subsequent action took place in the crowded midfield area, but when McAllister found Todd Lumsden on the left with a good pass, the midfielder’s blocked first try rebounded to him and his splendid left-foot shot-cum-cross almost deceived home goalkeeper Gary McGlynn who was relieved to touch it for a corner.
Then, on the half hour, home striker Robbie Henderson found himself clear through on Shearer and looked certain to score. However, his attempt at control was dreadful and the Rovers’ goalkeeper was a happy man as he gathered the loose ball. Within two minutes, the Gable Endies again threatened when Henderson again looked favourite to net, but a superb last-ditch intervention by Lumsden averted the danger.
Five minutes from the break, Rovers passed up a glorious chance to establish an interval lead when McLean picked up a through ball and had only McGlynn to beat. However, although other options might have been better, the striker elected to drive the ball for goal - and hit the ‘keeper.
Second Half
Within a couple of minutes of the restart, Montrose’s Steve Kerrigan stormed down the left and sent over a speedy low cross which eluded everyone before going out on the far side. It was the 60th minute before there was another goal attempt, home midfielder Keith Gibson shooting wide from well out. Then McLean did well to get in a cross which Jim Mercer could only head over the bar. John Bradford was then brought on to replace a relatively ineffective McAllister, and Jordan Smith was booked for a foul. Rovers came close when Peter Cormack, up with his attack, laid the ball beautifully into the path of James Coulter whose low drive was well saved by McGlynn before John McCaig became the second booking of the day.
During one of the better periods for Rovers, they snatched the 78th minute winner. A corner kick by repositioned wing-back Diack reached a crowded box at the near post - and suddenly the ball was in the net! Although the actual final move which put it there was shrouded in mystery, at least to the fans, McLean wheeled away to accept the congratulations of his colleagues and the small travelling support actually sounded quite numerous. The remaining twelve minutes were quite uneventful, with only a number of substitutions to note. Oh, and yes, Shearer did have to make one of his now customary late saves, diving to save a Grant Johnston header two minutes from the end.
However, by that time the points were safely in the Coatbridge hamper and the promotion momentum was unchecked.
Montrose : McGlynn, Gibson, Ferguson, Conway, Christie (C Webster 86), McQuillan, K Webster, Johnston, Kerrigan (Gilzean 82/Budd 90), Henderson, McKinnon. Unused Subs : Thomson, Campbell.
Albion Rovers : Shearer, Coulter, McCaig, Smith Cormack, Lumsden, McAllister (Bradford 63), Diack, Duncan (Weir 90), McLean (Dick 84), Mercer. Unused Subs : Richardson, Fahey.
Referee : Cammy Melville
Man of the Match : Iain Diack
