Albion Rovers 0 v 0 Elgin City 
Scottish Cup Round 1
17th November 2001
Albion Rovers 0 v 0 Elgin City
Scottish Cup Round 1
17th November 2001
Attendance : 258
This was Albion Rovers back to their infuriating best - and worst!
In a cracking cup-tie, it was one-way traffic as Rovers outplayed visitors Elgin City for prolonged periods, but not only did the well-organised visiting defence stand firm against a succession of raids, on the few occasions their attack came within range of Chris Fahey’s goal, a little more composure might have paid dividends. Indeed, midfielder David Hind should have stolen the win in injury time when some neat footwork took him through the home defence, but he delayed his final shot and was dispossessed. So Rovers - without Jamie McKenzie, red-carded for the third time this season, and the second against the same team - must make the long journey north for next week’s replay hoping to have rediscovered the scoring form of just a few weeks ago.
With the energetic Chris Silvestro added to the injury list, Manager John McVeigh shuffled the composition of the squad, giving starting slots to front runners Charlie McLean and Ryan McMullan as well as recalling Stewart Easton to midfield.
Rovers set to with a will, forcing five corners in the opening ten minutes, during which time City’s Craig Tully took a knock and had to be replaced by David Craig. Then McLean saw his fine volley touched over for a corner by Martin Pirie before City defender Willie Furphy conceded yet another corner to deny McMullan. As Rovers continued to pile on the pressure, McLean forced Pirie into a full-length save, and there were half-hearted claims for a penalty when Mark Booth stumbled in the box.
After Paul Bonar had shot straight at the ‘keeper, City went upfield and seriously threatened for the first time, but Connor Campbell’s free-kick was weakly headed past by Ian Gilzean. In 34 minutes, Rovers’ Todd Lumsden was booked for using an elbow, then just two minutes from the break Booth powered a strong header into the net only for the cheers to be stilled as referee McGarry signalled for an infringement.
At the start of the second half, Rovers continued to be the main aggressors, but Elgin gradually crept into the game and a Gilzean effort was held by Chris Fahey at the post. Within seconds, at the other end, it looked as if Rovers were bound to score when first McLean and then McMullan saw quick-fire scoring shots blocked by the rather fortunate City defence. A Waldie cross reached Booth who headed wide from reasonable position before Fahey did well to clutch a dangerous cross into the area, taking a knock in the process.
An Elgin breakaway in 66 minutes came to naught when Hind beat the defence and Fahey but could not prevent the ball going over the bye line. Four minutes later McKenzie was booked for mouthing-off at the referee - something which was to have greater consequences later on. With just six minutes left, Hind was again at fault when a cross from the left reached him with time to spare on the right. Instead of passing however, he opted to give it a go, but the ball scorched across the face of the goal and out on the other side. That certainly was a chance lost, but after McKenzie had seen red for a mistimed tackle in 87 minutes, Hind was mortified to lose the chance to snatch the spoils with his late, late miss.
So, we’ll be trudging north on Saturday hoping that Rovers can recover their scoring ability. If not, well . . .!
Albion Rovers : Fahey, Smith, Lumsden, Hamilton, Easton, Booth, Waldie, McKenzie, McLean, McMullan, Bonar. Subs not used : Harty, McKenna, Diack, Rankin, Shearer.
Elgin City : Pirie, Hind, McDonald, Furphy, McBride, Dlugonski, Ross, Campbell, Kelly, Gilzean,
Tully (D Craig 9). Subs not used : R Craig, McGlashan, Rutherford, Rae.
Referee : Brian McGarry.
Man of the Match : Steve Hamilton
