East Stirlingshire 1 v 2 Albion Rovers 
Division 3
23rd March 2002
East Stirlingshire 1 v 2 Albion Rovers
Division 3
23rd March 2002
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Attendance : 212
Scorers - East Stirlingshire : Gordon (31). Albion Rovers : Booth (62), Diack (74).
Well, we’re still in there fighting! This win, ultimately achieved against ten men, was earned through a second-half display which comprised sheer endeavour, gritty determination and one or two moments of excellent football, particularly Steve Hamilton’s free-kicks which led to the all-important goals. As Rovers battled back, the most relieved man on the field must have been goalkeeper Chris Fahey whose blunder just after the half hour gifted Shire their goal - and their interval lead.
Although the current suspensions continue to give boss John McVeigh selection problems, the long-term injury list is at last showing signs of reducing, with Tom Tait making his first start in almost six months and Ryan McMullan and Steve McCormick finding places on the bench.
This was a match which was slow to get into any shape and it took all of five minutes for the first goalward movement to be made, Rovers winning a corner for their efforts. A few minutes later, Mark Booth tried his luck, but his final shot lacked the necessary venom and the ball passed harmlessly past a post. Action around the goal areas was at a premium, but in 16 minutes Gerry McKenna found Booth with a slide-rule pass only for home ‘keeper David Hay to smother the midfielder’s cross-cum-shot. At this stage, Shire had hardly managed a meaningful attack and it was Rovers who threatened again, but although Charlie McLean’s lob beat Hay, it floated well wide of the target. Within seconds, Booth had a great chance to open the scoring, but his carefully judged side-footed shot slipped just the wrong side of a post.
In 28 minutes, Shire’s Ian McDonald was booked for a bad foul on Colin Waldie before the defensive howler which had the few home fans in ecstasy. A ball towards Rovers’ goal was easy meat - or so it seemed until Fahey completely missed his kick near the edge of the area. The shocked Tait was unable to retrieve the situation and the ball got to the unmarked Kevin Gordon who wasted no time in sticking it into the far corner of the unguarded net. So, in spite of having had by far the lion’s share of the play, the lads in yellow were a goal adrift.
Much of the immediate aftermath took place in midfield, but with four minutes remaining Waldie found McLean with a fine incisive pass and only a brave diving save by Hay at the striker’s feet prevented what looked like a certain equaliser.
In the 50th minute, an excellent move involving McLean, Waldie and Diack ended quite disappointingly with the latter heading wide. At the other end, defensive hesitation gave Brown Ferguson sight of an open goal, but much to the relief of the Rovers’ fans, the home substitute fired his shot well wide. It was a bad miss and in the light of later events, one which was undoubtedly important. In 61 minutes, defender McDonald again clattered Waldie. The yellow and red appeared in quick succession and Shire were down to ten men. If that were not punishment enough, Steve Hamilton’s free-kick - awarded for the original offence - was perfectly placed into the box for Mark Booth to meet it and send a powerful header past the helpless Hay.
Rovers replaced Jordan Smith with Ryan McMullan and after the wee man had buzzed about to good effect, there arrived the goal which could make all the difference at the end of April. Awarded another free-kick in a similar spot, Hamilton again took responsibility and crossed, this time to the back post and a committed leap by the impressive Robert Coulter allowed him to head the ball back in front of goal where Ian Diack gleefully thumped home his sixth of the season. Six minutes later McLean again tried to lob Hay, but the ‘keeper just managed to get a finger-tip to the ball and juggle it to safety. It was not until the final minute of the game that Shire actually created a chance, but Sean McAuley’s drive passed inches outside a post and the points were in the Coatbridge hamper.
East Stirlingshire : Hay, Maughan (Ferguson 46), McGhee, McLaughlin, Hall, D Todd (Scott 59), McAuley, Lorimer, Gordon, Ure (McKechnie 46), McDonald. Unused Subs : Russell, C Todd.
Albion Rovers : Fahey, Smith (McMullan 65), Coulter, Tait, McKenna, Booth, Waldie, Hamilton, McLean (McCormick 81), Diack (Carr 81), Harty. Unused Subs : McLees, Shearer.
Referee : John Fleming.
Man of the Match : Steve Hamilton
