Montrose 1 v 0 Albion Rovers 
Bell's Cup Round 1
6th August 2002
Montrose 1 v 0 Albion Rovers
Bell's Cup Round 1
6th August 2002
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Attendance : 320
Scorer ~ Montrose : Johnston (78)
This Bell’s Cup tie was something of a non event, and that’s especially true of Rovers whose contribution to the overall minimal entertainment was just that - minimal. Even allowing for the absence of the influential Jim Dick, it’s difficult to comprehend how the smooth, forceful and highly impressive side of Saturday’s first-half at Stirling could become so inept as to give Gary McGlynn a virtual night off . The Montrose goalkeeper did not have a single save to make in the ninety minutes.
Manager Peter Hetherston rang the changes up front, with Charles McLean and David Carr given the opportunity to show what they could do, while Colin McKinnon and James Coulter were drafted into midfield. In addition, Chris Fahey was restored to goal.
As early as the fourth minute, Fahey had to dive at Kevin Webster’s feet to prevent almost immediate disaster and although McKinnon then headed an Andy Paterson cross wide of goal, it was Montrose who looked the more interested. Midway through the half, a good Keith Gibson effort rattled of the top of Fahey’s crossbar, then from a dangerous corner, the ‘keeper - at full stretch - just managed to divert the ball to safety. As the interval drew near, a fine lay-off by McLean gave Paterson a chance, but the defender’s shot flew high over.
Two minutes after the restart, Fahey pulled off a brilliant block to prevent Kevin Webster from scoring from close range, then Todd Lumsden became the only yellow card statistic of the evening. In 55 minutes, Rovers won a corner which was cleared so quickly that within seconds, Fahey had to save a low drive from Colin McDonald, a constant menace to the visiting defence.
It was difficult to see where any Rovers’ goal was going to come from and the boss brought on John Bradford and Iain Diack in an attempt to solve the problem. Fahey was again in action to deny Graeme McCheyne close to a post, McDonald heading narrowly over from the resultant corner. Then, with just twelve minutes remaining, Montrose struck the killer blow when an excellent defence-splitting move allowed Grant Johnston to fire low into the corner of the net.
Home substitute Moray Leak almost made it two but his fine drive clipped the top of the crossbar with Fahey beaten. Thereafter, as often happens, Rovers launched a mini-revival and although they came relatively close on a couple of occasions, the end-result was maybe predictable.
Montrose : McGlynn, McCheyne, Robertson, Gibson, Conway, McQuillan, K Webster (Leask 79), Johnston, McDonald, C Webster (Ferguson 63), McKinnon (Brand 74). Unused Subs : Mitchell, Anderson.
Albion Rovers : Fahey, Paterson, Stirling, Smith, Cormack, Lumsden, McKinnon, Coulter (Bradford 59), McLean (Diack 59), Carr, Mercer (Silvestro 70). Unused Subs : McCaul, Shearer.
Referee : Gary Mitchell.
Man of the Match : Andy Paterson
