Greenock Morton 0 v 1 Albion Rovers 
Division 3
14th September 2002
Greenock Morton 0 v 1 Albion Rovers
Division 3
14th September 2002
Attendance : 1739
Scorer ~ Albion Rovers : Lumsden (10)
Without being disrespectful to the remaining players in red and yellow, this was most definitely the Kevin and Todd show, for Messrs McAllister and Lumsden were in top form throughout, doing all that was asked of them - and more! Having said that, it was a tremendous all-round performance of good attacking skill, composed midfield determination and resolute defending - all capped by Lumsden’s stunning strike - which deservedly led to the collection of three points which might just be very important at the end of the season.
Although suspensions forced manager Peter Hetherston into a fairly dramatic rethink regarding personnel and positions, his tactics were spot-on for the occasion - even allowing for the odd moment of heart-stopping action around Scott Shearer’s goal.
Before a minute had passed, John Bradford’s left foot drive shaved a post as it sped close to goal, then McAllister, Jered Stirling and Charles McLean combined well to gain a corner. Following a home attack which John McCaig ended, Rovers shocked the confident home crowd by taking the lead in the tenth minute. Stirling sent over a corner from the right and when the ball got near the back post, Lumsden bravely threw himself at it to power a strong header down into the net past flailing Morton goalkeeper Craig Coyle.
Three minutes later, Morton might well have equalised when a bad bounce let Warren Hawke in on goal, but the striker hoofed the ball high over from about six yards. At this stage, Rovers were stroking the ball about with considerable panache and Morton were often left chasing the shadows created by the strong sunlight on the Cappielow pitch. In 16 minutes, McLean worked wonders on the right before slinging the ball perfectly on to McAllister’s head. Unfortunately, the wee man connected possibly too well and the ball flew into the arms of the grateful and relieved goalkeeper. A dynamo in midfield and up front, McAllister was causing all sorts of problems for the home team and with an exquisite pass he released Bradford whose final shot was blocked by Coyle. After Hawke had headed over at the other end, yet another McAllister run almost brought rewards.
In the 32nd minute, the tireless McLean again burst on the scene, this time cutting in from the left but disappointingly firing past the far post. Three minutes later, Morton lost the services of former Scottish international David Hopkins to no apparent injury. Maybe it was simply a judicious substitution.
The second period was just a wee bit more fraught for Rovers as Morton redoubled their efforts, but Shearer did well to leave his goal and deny Alex Williams. Generally speaking, Rovers were quite comfortably containing Morton’s threat, but midway through the period, Shearer was again forced to save at the feet of Williams. McLean and McAllister again roared down on the home defence but a weak shot from the former and a side-net effort from the latter were poor reward for good play. Rather unluckily, John McCaig then became Rovers’ only booking of the day before Williams’ petulance saw his name also entered in the wee black book.
Morton captain Derek Collins came close with an eighteen-yarder which was just a couple of feet too high, but a minute from the end, Lumsden was unlucky not to double his tally when another splendid header clipped the top of the Morton crossbar.
Greenock Morton : Coyle, Collins, Bottiglieri, McGregor, Smith (Gaughan 77), Hopkins (McDonald 35), Uotinen, Hawke, Williams, J Masiano (Cannie 74), Bannerman. Unused Subs : Riley, McKillop.
Albion Rovers : Shearer, Paterson, Stirling, Smith, Cormack, Lumsden, McAllister (Carr 82), Coulter, Bradford (Diack 90), McLean, McCaig. Unused Subs : McCaul, Fahey, Duncan
Referee : Charlie Richmond.
Men of the Match : Kevin McAllister & Todd Lumsden
