Albion Rovers 1 v 3 Stirling Albion 
Division 3
26th October 2002
Albion Rovers 1 v 3 Stirling Albion
Division 3
26th October 2002
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Attendance : 489
Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : McLean (7). Stirling Albion : Nicholas (22 pen), O’Brien (78), Mallan (80).
With a goal of a start, the visitors losing one of their most influential men after only eight minutes and the majority of the support behind them, this was the perfect day for Rovers to show what they could do. Unfortunately however, the players seemed to choose to hide their light - and ability - under the proverbial bushel, and in the end, the Stirling Albion victory might have reached embarrassing proportions.
Indeed, on the day, the best player not wearing a Stirling shirt was Graeme Lightbody, the keepieuppie wizard who showed off his amazing skills during the interval. Instead of being in the dressing room supping tea, it might have been better if the Rovers’ squad had been out watching Graeme to see just what a bit of practice and dedication can achieve.
In seven minutes, and in almost their first serious attack of the afternoon, Rovers took the lead. John Bradford, out on the right, slung over a cross which was a bit too strong, but when Jered Stirling sent it back into the middle, Charles McLean was perfectly placed to head it into the net through the legs of Albion ‘keeper Iain Turner. After the visitors’ injured George Rowe had been replaced by Fraser Duncan, Rovers, naturally cock-a-hoop at their early breakthrough, surged forward and Todd Lumsden had a long-range effort held before an Andy Paterson cross was cut out by Turner.
Midway through the half, with play ebbing to and fro, Stirling equalised with a controversial penalty-kick. Steve Nicholas chased a forward pass into the box where he was challenged by Lumsden and the advancing Scott Shearer. Although Lumsden appeared to get the ball as Nicholas fell to the turf, it was all a bit messy and it was no real surprise when referee Calum Murray pointed to the spot. Nicholas himself cracked the ball past Shearer and equality was restored. Some minutes later, Jered Stirling caused a bit of panic with an attempted clearance which sliced off his boot for a corner before McLean, closely chaperoned as he chased the ball into the opposition area, clattered to the ground. Mr Murray considered it was a dive instead of a push and instantly flashed the yellow card at the striker.
Between then and the interval there were only two instances worthy of note. A 35-yard Jim Mercer drive was held by Turner and, at the other end, Paul Hay sent a 30-yard free-kick screaming past a post.
Immediately on the restart, Stirling (Jered, that is) had another free-kick saved before a spell of pressure brought Rovers two unproductive corners. In the 54th minute, the Albion ‘keeper did well to hold a wickedly swinging Kevin McAllister cross and within seconds at the other end a loose defensive header gave Nicholas a golden chance to score. Although his final shot lacked venom, Shearer nevertheless did well to block the effort. Then McLean gathered a nice pass from McAllister only for a last-ditch tackle by Paul Nugent to spoil his chance before Nicholas again came close, his header missing by inches.
In the 66th minute a poor back header by Mark McNally caused problems in the Stirling defence, but Turner did just enough to prevent the corner kick. A 71st minute double substitution by Rovers saw James Coulter and Lee Duncan replace Kevin McAllister and Chris Silvestro, but seven minutes later Stirling got forward in numbers and although Shearer parried Nicholas’s shot, it fell nicely at the feet of David O’Brien who easily steered it into the gaping net. If that were not bad enough, only two minutes more had elapsed when a stunning goal by striker Steve Mallan put the result beyond doubt. Gathering the ball midway inside Rovers’ half, the veteran unleashed a superb volley which flew into the net over the astonished Shearer. Stirling joy was unconfined. Rovers’ gloom was almost tangible.
Well, there was no way back, and although Turner pulled out one last minute double block to deny Lumsden, the points were safely locked away in the Forthbank hamper.
Albion Rovers : Shearer, Paterson, Stirling, Smith, Cormack, Lumsden, McAllister (Coulter 71), Silvestro (Duncan 71), Bradford, McLean, Mercer (Carr 81). Unused Subs : McCaig, Fahey.
Stirling Albion : Turner, Nugent, Hay, McNally, Rowe (Duncan 8), Davidson, Dunn, McKinnon, Mallan, Nicholas, O’Brien. Unused Subs : Reilly, McLellan, Moore, Reid.
Referee : Calum Murray.
Man of the Match : Jered Stirling
