Albion
Rovers 3 v 0 Peterhead 
Division 3
10th August 2002
Albion
Rovers 3 v 0 Peterhead
Division 3
10th August 2002
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Attendance : 440
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Cormack (12), Diack (50), Carr (83).
Splendid though it was, this emphatic victory would undoubtedly have been even more impressive had it not been for an outstanding goalkeeping display by Peterhead’s Paul Mathers who foiled the eager home strikers on numerous occasions. As the match wore on, Rovers simply became more and more confident and there was never any doubt as to the destination of the points.
Although the visitors had been the more lively and likely lot in the opening minutes, Peter Cormack’s super 12th minute blockbuster of a strike to put Rovers ahead completely altered the balance of power, and from then on there was no holding Peter Hetherston’s lads for whom Kevin McAllister made an impressive debut..
Before Rovers’ goal, both Stewart Mackay and Kevin Tindal had opportunities to count for the Blue Toon, but wayward finishing let Rovers off the hook. Then, in virtually Rovers’ first serious attack of the match, the Peterhead defence could only clear the ball out beyond the edge of the box to where Cormack was waiting. With one swing of his boot, the ball rocketed goalwards and flashed into the top corner with Mathers looking on. What a strike - and what a reaction from his colleagues on the field as well as from the fans! Within minutes, Iain Diack forced Mathers into making a great close-in block and Rovers were well on top. Although the visitors broke out of defence only occasionally, Rovers had to be alert at the back and twenty-five minutes were grateful to Cormack for getting in the way of a strong Tindal shot.
After John Bradford saw his low shot saved by Mathers, Diack weaved his way through the Peterhead defence only to be dispossessed at the last moment. At the other end, Scott Shearer left the area to charge down a loose ball, lost out in the challenge and looked back with relief as Andy Paterson cleared Shaun McSkimming’s shot off the line. The first half ended in a flurry of activity with Mathers again earning his corn with a couple of vital stops close to his line.
The second period was only five minutes old when Rovers scored again. The tenacious Chris Silvestro dispossessed an opponent in midfield and made tracks for goal. Before he was closed-down he placed a slide-rule pass in front of the supporting Diack and the striker stayed cool to place a low shot inside Mather’s right-hand post. After the visitor’s Craig Cooper became the only yellow-card recipient of the day, Rovers stepped up the pressure and just when Bradford’s cross from the left looked certain to be netted by Charles McLean, up popped McSkimming to slice a clearance over his own crossbar.
In the 74th minute, McLean’s strong drive was diverted for a corner by Mathers, and when Jered Stirling’s kick came over, Bradford fired wildly over from around eight yards. Peterhead had one more chance to get back in the game but substitute Keith Robertson headed wide. Then, with time ebbing away, David Carr - a replacement for McAllister - collected a McLean pass and shot for goal. Although the ball looked to have slid harmlessly past the far post, it actually just caught the inside and trundled over the line for the strike which put the icing on an already tasty-looking cake.
There were a number of contenders in this impressive-looking Cliftonhill outfit, but for his artistry and composure, new signing Kevin McAllister just shades the top award.
Albion Rovers : Shearer, Paterson, Stirling, Smith, Cormack, Lumsden, McAllister (Carr 66), Silvestro, Bradford, Diack (McLean 61), Mercer (McKinnon 85). Unused Subs : Coulter, Fahey.
Peterhead : Mathers, Burns, McSkimming, Bain (Kidd 71), Simpson, Raeside, Cooper, Stewart (Robertson 73), Tindal, Johnston, Mackay (Livingstone 46). Unused Subs : Slater, Pirie.
Referee : Jamie Downie.
Man of the Match : Kevin McAllister
