Peterhead 2 v 0 Albion Rovers 
Division 3
19th October 2002
Peterhead 2 v 0 Albion Rovers
Division 3
19th October 2002
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Attendance : 543
Scorers ~ Peterhead : Roddie (74), Tindal (78).
If the Blue Toon squad had played in this match wearing Dick Turpin masks it would have been most appropriate, for this was one of the most blatant examples of highway robbery ever likely to be witnessed on a sports field!
Playing some quite excellent football, Rovers were clearly the better team throughout, but good first-half goalkeeping, a packed defence which was lucky enough to block any number of net-bound shots, some wayward finishing by the lads in red and yellow and a daft four minutes which saw the hosts score two very fortunate goals resulted in a final score which was hard to take.
With only 15 seconds played, Chris Silvestro screwed a shot wise of a post then as Rovers took control, a fine cross from John Bradford found no takers. It was ten minutes before Peterhead got near Scott Shearer, and even then the big fellow made a comfortable save from a Martin Johnston header. After a15th minute shot by Johnston sailed over the crossbar, Rovers laid siege to the home goal and in the space of about three minutes, there were umpteen chances to take the lead. First, a splendid Iain Diack cross reached Bradford who really should have burst the net instead of hitting high over, and after Diack himself shot past, Bradford twice tried to beat Mathers, but both attempts were blocked. Still in the same attack, Jim Mercer’s good drive also failed to find a way through and Peter Cormack’s shot from rebound met the same fate. It was frustrating stuff for Rovers who really deserved to get some reward for their constant pressure.
In 22 minutes Jered Stirling slung over a good cross, but once again Bradford couldn’t make his header count, the ball soaring high over. The action was non-stop, and although Rovers were on top, Peterhead caused the occasional problem for the Coatbridge rearguard and in 27 minutes, Shearer had to look sharp to turn a low Kevin Tindal drive for a corner. Kevin McAllister, the architect behind many of Rovers’ forward moves, then tried a shot from distance, but it was easily mopped up by Paul Mathers in the home goal. Then Andy Paterson’s free-kick was diverted for a corner before a similar effort from Stirling had Mathers scrambling to turn the ball to safety.
Peterhead ended the first half with something of a flurry and after Iain Stewart had done well to make space on the right, Johnston’s shot crashed off legs and was cleared. Just before the whistle, indecision in Rovers’ defence almost cost them dear, but Shearer’s parry of a Johnston drive was enough to allow Cormack to get in the way of a fierce rebound shot from Stewart. Indeed, Cormack was felled by the attempt and took some time to recover.
Three minutes into the second period, Stewart had the ball in the net for Peterhead, but as a clear hand-ball had assisted him to "score", it didn’t count. In the 54th minute, Todd Lumsden was booked, then a great interpassing attacking move by Rovers ended disappointingly when Stirling’s shot flew over the bar. Shearer then raced for his goal to deny home substitute Craig Cooper, but the visitors’ pressure quickly resumed with a Diack header being saved by Mathers.
Although with time running out there looked to be at least a certain draw for Rovers, that notion was blown out of the water within the space of four short minutes. Firstly, Shearer - out of his goal - seemed be in control against Andy Roddie. Somehow, however, the ball broke in favour of the striker and he rolled it into the empty net. Bad though that was, in the 78th minute - just after a booking for Stirling - things got worse when the home lead was doubled. This time, as Tindal advanced, Shearer was again forced to leave his line, but once more the break went in favour of the attacker and the ball ended up in the net. It was a cruel blow for Rovers, and although they continued to force the pace, they were unable to salvage anything from the game.
Peterhead : Mathers, Burns (Cooper 53), MacDonald, Raeside, Simpson, Bain, Tindal, Stewart, Cameron (McSkimming 65), Johnston (Camara 72), Roddie. Unused Subs : Kidd, Buchanan.
Albion Rovers : Shearer, Paterson, Stirling, Smith, Cormack (Coulter 87), Lumsden, McAllister (McLean 77), Silvestro, Bradford (Duncan 82), Diack, Mercer. Unused Subs : McCaig, Fahey.
Referee : David Somers.
Man of the Match : Jordan Smith
