Albion Rovers v Stenhousemuir FC

Match Report

Albion Rovers v Stenhousemuir at Cliftonhill Stadium, Coatbridge on 26.09.15

Ladbroke League One                    Att 406

Albion Rovers 2 [Barrowman 30,55] Stenhousemuir 0

After last week’s defeat to Dunfermline the Warriors were looking to get back to winning ways. They have been poor on their travels though and in recent years poor at Cliftonhill and it looked as if they would continue this run after a first half performance that saw them bested in most departments.

Stenhousemuir made several changes from last week with Jamie McCormack coming into right back and Ross Meechan moving to left back for Liam Henderson. Allan Smith dropped out through injury and Allan Cook came in whilst Kieran Millar who had been struggling with fitness also settled to the bench and Carlos Manzana came into the starting eleven.

Stenhousemuir rarely threatened in the opposition half and only had a couple of efforts at goal. Alan Cook’s strike in 8 minutes was closer to the corner flag than the goal whilst Colin McMenamin saw an effort blocked for a corner in the 42^nd minute.

Albion Rovers despite having the bulk of the play didn’t create many chances either. They came close though in the sixth minute when Paul Willis headed past Jamie Barclay but it was cleared off the line by Ross Meechan though the Rovers players claimed an arm was used. There was little goalmouth action but the home side tool the lead in the 30^th minute when Andrew Barrowman headed home an Ally Love from only four yards out.

The second half disdn’t get any better for the visitors. Colin McMenamin saw an acrobatic rffort blocked for a corner in the 51^st minute but two minutes later the game was effectively finished when Andy Barrowman scored his and Albion Rovers second goal with another header, this time from a Gary Fisher cross after his initial corner kick wasn’t cleared properly.

Fisher then had a chance to make it three after bursting into the box but from a great position blasted over the bar. Barclay then made a fine save from Ally Love after he was played through by a Ross Davidson flick.

In the 67^th minute an Eddington dummy from a Jon Robertson cross set up McMenamin but his strike from 12 yards out was saved by Ross Stewart,. A minute later McMenamin tested Stewart once again with a header but the keeper proved up to the task. That was the last meaningful positive play by the striker as he was dismissed two minutes later after a rash tackle on Ross Dunlop as he tried to win the ball back after losing initial control of it.

Despite numerical advantage Albion Rovers failed to extend their lead before the end and Kieran Millar almost had a consolation goal in stoppage time with a shot from close range but he was denied by the keeper who did enough to deserve a shutout.

Albion Rovers – Stewart, Reid [Talu 38], Turnbull, Fisher, Dunlop R, Dunlop M, Davidson, Barrowman [McRobbie 77], Willis and Love [b70] [ McBride 77]. Subs not used – Ferry, Young and Lochead.

Stenhousemuir – Barclay, McCormack, Meechan, Malcolm [b28], Murray, Robertson, Gilhaney [b70][Millar 83], Stirling, McMenamin [so 70], Mazana and Cook [Eddington 63]. Subs not used – Henderson, McCroary and Shaw.

Referee – Nick Walsh     Assistants – Alan Mulvany and Ronnie Strain