Albion Rovers 0 v 0 Peterhead
Division 3
11th March 2003
Albion Rovers 0 v 0 Peterhead
Division 3
11th March 2003
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Attendance : 389
The unbeaten run is stretched to seven matches. So, why is everyone connected with Rovers disappointed? The answer’s simple. The last two matches have yielded just one goal from dozens of chances, that’s why.
After this one, there’s no doubt that Peterhead set off home happy with their share of the evening’s spoils. Oh, they’ll make noises about being disappointed and that they had chances. Well, so they had, but compared with the opportunities wasted by the Coatbridge front men, they were minimal.
An analysis of the statistics shows that Rovers had fourteen shots at goal, and the visitors only five. These fourteen were the only ones allowed to be included, but there were at least that number again which were blocked by legs - or whatever - before they actually got to the target.
The promotion dream is still very much alive, however, and it would take very little to turn the dream into reality, but it’s got to happen quickly.
Composure Needed
Without going into too much detail, John Bradford and Mark Yardley between them had enough chances to win a few matches, but contrived either to plop the ball neatly into the waiting arms of Blue Toon ‘keeper Paul Mathers, or blooter it high and wide of the goal. A bit of composure might have paid massive dividends in this one.
After Chris Silvestro had set the scene with a sparkling run which was ended by a last-ditch Shaun McSkimming tackle, Peterhead had a few moments of hope, but prolific scorer Alex Bone was out of luck. On more than one occasion, there was absolute mayhem in the Peterhead box with Rovers looking certain to score - but they didn’t.
Kevin McAllister was showing his class as he set up a number of openings for his colleagues, particularly one late in the first half when he brilliantly found the galloping Bradford. However, the striker blasted over from reasonable position, and we feared the worst.
Second Half
Eight minutes into the second period, and Bradford again squandered a glorious chance, but with Rovers on the rampage it seemed as if it would only be a matter of time until the breakthrough. Peterhead, however, were no Aunt Sallies, and in 60 minutes Jered Stirling was on hand to clear a Bone drive off the line. Silvestro had a powerful shot blocked, Yardley headed straight at Mathers - and so the tale of woe went on and on.
Peterhead again almost struck in 75 minutes when Douglas Cameron, unmarked and lying in wait, had a clear sight of the target, but Shearer was out in a flash to make a superb block. It was a real escape for Rovers. After Bone had again fluffed a shot, Rovers began to surge downfield in waves and the visitors were in all sorts of trouble. Substitute Iain Diack - who replaced Bradford in 67 minutes - seemed to have caught the same malaise as he skied the ball high over from good position.
OK. One point is better than none, and we might have to be realistic. However, as the expectations are now very high, so the partial failure is hard to bear.
Albion Rovers : Shearer, Dick, Stirling, Smith, Cormack, Lumsden, McAllister, Silvestro, Yardley (McLean 80), Bradford (Diack 67), Mercer. Unused Subs : Paterson, Ross, Fahey.
Peterhead : Mathers, Clark, McSkimming, Raeside (Burns 20), Simpson, Bain, Tindal, McLean (Trialist 90), Cameron, Bone , Roddie. Unused Subs : Johnston, Smith, Farquhar.
Referee : John Fleming.
Man of the Match : Chris Silvestro
