Albion Rovers 0 v 0 Livingston 
Scottish Cup Round 3
14th January 2002
Albion Rovers 0 v 0 Livingston
Scottish Cup Round 3
14th January 2002
Attendance : 2234
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : McLean (42). Livingston : Wilson (1), Bingham (30, 90), Fernandez (84).
Had it not been for mistakes in the first and last minutes of this cup-tie, Albion Rovers might well have caused an upset. As it was, their gritty performance for the remaining 88 minutes meant absolutely nothing in terms of progression, and all their efforts were in vain.
With referee Clyde’s starting whistle almost still echoing around New Broomfield, Livingston struck a devastating blow when Barry Wilson found plenty of space and time on the right to crack a fine drive goalwards. It looked as if Chris Fahey had it covered all the way, but somehow it managed to creep between the ‘keeper and his left-hand post to put the SPL side into a lead surely far beyond their expectations.
To Rovers’ credit, they buckled down and gradually gained at least as much of the ball as their opponents. In 14 minutes, Charlie McLean appeared to have been fouled on the edge of the area, but Mr Clyde booked him for diving. Martin Harty had a low shot saved by Nick Culkin before Stewart Easton fired high over from distance. In 25 minutes, Davide Fernandez should have done better than head wide, then the busy McLean saw another shot go straight to the ‘keeper.
Just when it looked as if Rovers might get something, Livingston’s tally was doubled with the simplest of goals in 30 minutes. The tricky Fernandez sent over a great cross and David Bingham rose at the far post to head cleanly into the net. Although another blow for Rovers, they again redoubled their efforts and three minutes from the break got their reward. A ball forward from midfield fell between McLean and a defender and the Rovers’ striker was sufficiently alert to latch on to it and slide it under the diving Culkin.
Within the first few minutes of the second half, both sides had chances to add to their successes, but Wilson sliced his shot well past a post and McLean burst through only for Culkin to save again. Following quick bookings for Steve Hamilton and Todd Lumsden, Fahey did well to parry a strong Wilson drive. With thirteen minutes remaining, it looked as if Fernandez was certain to extend his side’s lead, but a great last-ditch tackle by Gerry McKenna robbed the Spanish star as he was about to drive the ball into the net.
In the 72nd minute, it again looked odds-on that Livvy would score but this time Bingham’s header from a Fernandez cross struck a post and was cleared. With time wearing on, the visitors’ control grew more and more absolute, and in 84 minutes a good angled ball found Fernandez in acres of space on the right, with the time (and skill) to thump it past Fahey for the killer goal.
In the very last minute, Bingham outjumped Fahey to head into the empty net and Livingston were off into the Fourth Round with a more comfortable victory than the overall run of play might have warranted.
Albion Rovers : Fahey, McKenna, Lumsden (McMullan 86), Hamilton, Easton, Booth, Waldie, McKenzie, McLean, Harty (McCormick 72), Bonar. Unused Subs : Diack, Burrows, Shearer.
Livingston : Culkin, Brinquin, Bollan, Anderson, Rubio, Tosh, Quino, Bingham, Wilson (Brittain 86), Hart (Lowndes 77), Fernandez. Unused Subs : Caputo, Santini, McEwan.
Referee : George Clyde.
Man of the Match : Charlie McLean
