Albion Rovers 2 v 0 (a.e.t.) Montrose 
Challenge Cup Round 1
7th August 2001
Albion Rovers 2 v 0 (a.e.t.) Montrose
Challenge Cup Round 1
7th August 2001
Att : 142
Scorers : Hamilton (108), McMullan (117).
This was the late, late show as Rovers finished strongly in extra-time to send ten-man Montrose crashing out of the Bell’s Challenge Cup. Although there were chances a-plenty in normal time, it looked as if Rovers’ scoring jinx was going to remain, but a surging second half showing and a good effort in the additional time saw them get the goals that mattered.
With Mark Booth restored to the starting line-up, Chris Silvestro was the unlucky man consigned to the bench for this one.
In 7 minutes, Jamie McKenzie cleared a dangerous Ralph Brand effort away from the danger zone, and minutes later the Rovers’ man was in action at the other end with a drive which diverted to safety off the bald head of veteran Raymond Sharp. Charlie McLean then collected a McKenzie pass to blast the ball goalwards from close range, but visiting ‘keeper Gary McGlynn was on the spot to make an excellent blocking save. Montrose’s James McKellar spoiled a good run by shooting past the far post, then Steve Hamilton became the first yellow-card victim of the evening.
Two minutes after the restart, Brand fired over from distance, Hamilton headed over from close range and Brand, again, tested Chris Fahey from 16 yards. Rovers came close in 63 minutes when a Jered Stirling free-kick spun off a defender’s head and on to the bar before going over. Ten minutes later, Graham Christie was booked for a foul on Paul Bonar, and with only five minutes remaining it looked as if Rovers were through. A fine sweeping move ended with substitute David Carr hitting an excellent ball to the target, but it was inches too high and it smacked off the crossbar with the youngster clearly disappointed.
So, extra time it was, and shortly after Ryan McMullan had warmed McGlynn’s fingers with a rasping shot, the visitors were reduced to ten men with Christie’s second yellow card earning him a seat in the stand. Raymond Sharp was booked in the 106th minute and then things fell apart for Montrose as Rovers scored the goal they had been threatening to do since the interval. A poor clearance for defence simply rolled the ball out to Steve Hamilton around twenty-five yards from goal. He struck it cleanly, fiercely and accurately, and it simply raced low into the net through the congested penalty area. Rovers were naturally cock-a-hoop at this success and immediately set about building upon it. It didn’t come immediately, but when it did arrive, it was worth waiting for. Another half hit ball came out to McMullan who, with his back to goal, connected well to score a spectacular second with a great overhead kick. That ended any remaining Montrose resistance, and Rovers were in the next round of the Challenge Cup.
Albion Rovers : Fahey, McKenzie, Stirling, Smith, Tait, Booth (Silvestro 114), Waldie, Hamilton, McLean (Carr 59), McCormick (McMullan 79), Bonar. Subs not used : Easton, Shearer.
Montrose : McGlynn, McQuillan, Ferguson, Muirhead (Craib 69), Christie, Sharp, McKellar (Magee 79), Brand, Kerrigan (Stewart 59), Laidlaw, Johnston. Subs not used : Mitchell, Butter.
Referee : Eric Martindale
Man of the Match : Tom Tait
