Brechin City 4 v 1 Albion Rovers 
Division 3
25th August 2001
Brechin City 4 v 1 Albion Rovers
Division 3
25th August 2001
Attendance : 507
Scorers ~ Brechin City : Fotheringham (10), Bain (17), Campbell (26), Honeyman (85).
Albion Rovers : Stirling (48 pen).
As the dispirited band of Rovers’ fans trooped disconsolately out of Glebe Park today - somewhat heartened that referee Andrew Hunter had not felt it necessary to brandish either of his cards in the direction of a visitor - it was the only bright spot of an otherwise disappointing performance. For the second time in a season which has hardly begun, Rovers somehow contrived to lose the game before the interval, by which time the Angus high-fliers were three goals ahead and the lads in yellow had a mountain to climb. To their credit, they did have a much better second period, but the deficit was just too much to overcome.
With injuries and suspensions severely limiting his options, manager John McVeigh was forced to draft in Billy Struthers and James Coulter for their first starts of the season, as well as handing the number two jersey to Stewart Easton.
Brechin made a storming start to the game, scoring in virtually their first serious venture upfield. Tom Tait conceded a free-kick about twenty-five yards out and although the now apparently compulsory wall lined up, Kevin Fotheringham treated it with disdain as his kick flew past them and the despairing Chris Fahey in Rovers’ goal. James Coulter came close for Rovers in 15 minutes when his left foot drive flashed past a post, but two minutes later the visitors fell further behind when Billy Struthers and Greig Miller got in a tangle just inside the box. Mr. Hunter immediately pointed to the spot and Kevin Bain easily netted.
A Steve McCormick flick skidded across goal with no takers and a Jered Stirling 30-yard drive sailed over the crossbar before Brechin broke upfield to score again. This time the man on target was Paul Campbell whose low shot from twenty-two yards beat everyone to slip in at the far post. Only 26 minutes played, and Rovers were three down. Fahey then did well to prevent Fotheringham netting with another free-kick, but in 36 minutes the ‘keeper was fortunate to escape when a poor clearance landed at the feet of ace predator Roddy Grant. For once, however, the veteran’s skill deserted him and his shot missed the open goal.
Within three minutes of the restart, Rovers appeared to be back in the game when Charlie McLean was downed in the area by Alan Kernaghan and Jered Stirling’s spot kick was perfectly placed into the corner of the net. In the 55th minute, substitute Gerry McKenna looked to have a great opportunity to pull another back when he met a good cross from the right, but under close attention from a defender, he screwed his shot wide. Rovers continued to have the better of things but with time running out, they conceded the goal which was to put paid to any thoughts of a recovery. Only five minutes were left when City substitute Ben Honeyman bent to meet a cross from the left and nod the ball into the corner.
Best for Rovers were veteran Tom Tait, the ever-improving Jordan Smith and the effervescent Ryan McMullan.
Brechin City : Cairns, Smith (Black 72), Fotheringham, Bain, Cairney, Kernaghan, King, Campbell, Grant, Templeman (Honeyman 66), Miller (Leask 88). Unused : Craig, McKeown.
Albion Rovers : Fahey, Easton, Stirling, Smith, Tait, Hamilton, Struthers (Waldie 70), Coulter, McLean (McMullan 51), McCormick, Silvestro (McKenna 32). Unused : Harty, Shearer.
Referee : Andrew Hunter
Man of the Match : Jordan Smith
