Albion Rovers 1 v 3 Stirling Albion 
Division 3
11th August 2001
Albion Rovers 1 v 3 Stirling Albion
Division 3
11th August 2001
Att : 444
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Bonar (81). Stirling Albion : Geraghty (11), Henderson (43 pen), Devine (44).
All the damage in this somewhat unexpected and extremely disappointing defeat was done in a first forty-five minute period which saw the visitors presented with three gift goals - two of them coming in the important spell immediately before the whistle. Added to this, of course, was the red-carding of captain Jamie McKenzie for his alleged involvement in a bust-up in the tunnel as the players went for their oranges. And finally, when midfielder Steve Hamilton was booked twice in as many minutes to qualify for a seat in the stand, the writing was most definitely on the wall. However, referee George Clyde -with some odd decisions - had the fans seething, and must take some of the blame for the way the match turned in favour of the Stirling side.
Of course, being Rovers, the remaining nine then played out of their skins and came within a couple of miskicks of completing what would have been an astonishing comeback. However, Paul Bonar’s fine 81st minute strike was just too late to have the desired rejuvenating effect.
In the first few minutes there was no hint of how things would pan out as Charlie McLean saw a first-minute close-range drive blocked by visiting ‘keeper Chris Reid. And apart from a great Bonar shot which was brilliantly turned aside by Reid, that was about it as far as Rovers’ first-half threats were concerned. Stirling took the lead in 11 minutes when Rovers’ goalkeeper Chris Fahey made an excellent block only to see his clearance fall to Paul Hay on the right touchline. The defender fired a low cross into the area where Michael Geraghty had the easiest of tasks to divert it into the net from a position which looked a mite offside.
Stirling continued to be much the better outfit, but had to wait until the 43rd minute to gain more reward. A long ball from midfield which fell inside Rovers’ area was chased by Jordan Smith and Albion’s Gary Higgins. Although the ball seemed to be going away from the danger area, Smith gave Higgins a clear shove in the back and a penalty was signalled. Nicky Henderson struck the ball well, although Fahey managed to get a hand to it as it sped into the net. If Rovers thought that was bad, before another minute had elapsed even worse was to come when a Stewart Devine free-kick from at least twenty-five yards was allowed to slip past everyone before sneaking in at the far post.
After the half-time rumours had been confirmed, ten-man Rovers began to have a greater input to the game and a good Hamilton run up the left was followed by a cross which Steve McCormick belted goalwards only to see it cannon to safety off the body of the diving Reid. One minute later, a Jered Stirling free-kick landed well for Mark Booth just a few yards out, but the midfielder had the misfortune to miskick at the vital moment and the chance was gone. Just after the hour, Rovers’ woes increased when Hamilton received his quick-fire bookings to leave just nine yellow jerseys on the field. As sometimes happens, these nine started to take control, but although Bonar’s late strike gave them a little hope, the visitors held out for the win.
Albion Rovers : Fahey, McKenzie, Stirling, Smith, Tait, Booth (Easton 71), Waldie, Hamilton, McLean (McMullan 26), McCormick (Silvestro 66). Unused : Carr, Shearer.
Stirling Albion : Reid, Hay, Devine, Reilly, Morrison, McLellan, Moriarty (Edwards 80), Henderson, Geraghty, Higgins (Ross 74), McCallion (Stuart 59). Unused : Williams, Trialist.
Referee : George Clyde.
Man of the Match : Colin Waldie
