Albion Rovers 2 v 1 Peterhead 
Division 3
2nd February 2002
Albion Rovers 2 v 1 Peterhead
Division 3
2nd February 2002
Attendance : 297
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Donnelly (9), McLean (45). Peterhead : McSkimming (45).
"Didn’t they do well?" That, in a nutshell, was the reaction of the Cliftonhill management to the performance of all the lads in yellow, but particularly the debutante duo of Robert Coulter and goal-hero Kevin Donnelly, both of whom were strong contenders for nomination as Man of the Match. Although the inclusion of these youngsters further reduced the average age, it did absolutely no harm to the overall effectiveness as all those involved battled hard to retain the lead achieved in a first period which had an explosive finale.
Following last Saturday’s extremely disappointing reverse at Dumbarton, boss John McVeigh had threatened to ring the changes - and he did. In addition to including the two newcomers, Scott Shearer was given his sixth start of the season in goal and long-term injury victim Jordan Smith found a place on the bench.
After an inauspicious start, Rovers roared forward and in the 8th minute Colin Waldie rattled a post with a splendid shot. However, the despair of the home fans lasted only a few seconds more as from a well-struck Paul Bonar corner-kick, Donnelly leapt high from the pack to send an unstoppable header crashing into the net. What a start to his senior career! The youngster was rightly mobbed by his colleagues for his stunning effort.
In 14 minutes, Mark Booth headed a Waldie cross over the top and as Rovers kept the visitors on the back foot, Iain Diack was out of luck with an angled lob which finished on top of the net. With just over half an hour played, the visitors’ Shaun McSkimming and Mark Simpson were booked in quick succession, then Rovers could easily have increased their lead, but three low drives were blocked on the way to goal when a score looked certain.
With only seconds remaining and the interval cuppa almost literally being poured, there came the incidents which had the crowd buzzing. Firstly, a Martin Johnston shot was parried by Shearer to the lurking McSkimming who wasted no time in thumping it into the empty net to put the Blue Toon back on level terms. However, as they were undoubtedly preparing to savour their refreshment, Rovers struck again. This time Charlie McLean was waiting just outside the box to collect a pass, and although there was a suspicion of hand-ball, the top-scorer strode on to beat Paul Mathers with a low shot. The tea in the home dressing-room probably never tasted so sweet!
Ah, but the second half was a more nerve-wracking affair. Peterhead began with renewed vigour and the fray was much more evenly contested. After a Waldie cross had been held by Mathers and the normally accurate McLean had skittered a tame shot wide, the action moved downfield. A cross by the impressive John McQuade was fumbled by the under-pressure Shearer and another by the same player was headed over by Steve King. In the 62nd minute, King must have thought that he had scored, but Shearer, with a splendid dive to his right, touched the fierce shot round the post. A very important save!
With about a quarter of an hour remaining, things suddenly became just a wee bit fraught and we had five further bookings. Although it has to be said that referee Brian McGarry was possibly a bit eager to flourish his wee black book, from the stand most of the incidents were unclear, and he might just have been right. Mind you, if he was, he’s unusual! Those cautioned in these final minutes were McLean, Harty and Coulter of Rovers, plus Peterhead’s King and Canning.
Although a brilliant Mark Booth run set up a chance for McLean, it was Peterhead who turned up the heat in the closing stages. Ian Stewart was through on goal but was well-pressurised by Rovers’ defenders and could only hit high over. Then a strong goalbound drive by Scott Clark was blocked and a Johnston effort was headed off the line by Waldie. Even then, there was time for a last-ditch assault on the home goal, but substitute Martin Wood’s shot was confidently held by Shearer, and Rovers had won.
Albion Rovers : Shearer, R Coulter, McKenna, Hamilton, Easton, Booth, Waldie, Donnelly, McLean (McMullan 88), Diack (Harty 59), Bonar. Unused Subs : McKenzie, Smith, Fahey.
Peterhead : Mathers, Canning, Smith (Wood 62), McQuade (Yeats 76), Simpson, Mackay (Bissett 80), S Clark, Stewart, McSkimming, Johnston, King. Unused Subs : Livingstone, Pirie.
Referee : Brian McGarry.
Man of the Match : Kevin Donnelly
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