Stenhousemuir FC v Albion Rovers

Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Albion Rovers at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir  on 30.4.16

SPFL Ladbrokes League One       Att 662

Stenhousemuir 1 [McCormack 88] Albion Rover 3 [McBride 48, 74, Love 68]

Both teams went into this game knowing that they may need a win to fulfil their targets. Rovers with a victory had a chance of a promotion play-off if Stranraer stumbled whilst Stenhousemuir knew anything less than a win could see them drop into the relegation play-off spot. In the end Stranraer were victorious in their game against Cowdenbeath so Rovers win meant nothing but pride. The Stranraer game was also significant though for the Warriors as it meant that Cowdenbeath who were beaten could not catch Stenhousemuir and thus went into the play-off. Fr many months manager Brown Ferguson thought that 40 points would be enough and he was to be proved right in the end though there were a number of scares along the way.

Throughout the game the Coatbridge side looked lively and in the main sharper than their rivals and in the opening stages the Warriors had Colin McCabe to thank for keeping the score level bringing off a top class save to deny Ally Love in the fourth minute. Ross Meechan fired over in the 11^th minute following a goalmouth scramble but most of the action was at the other end and McCabe made another fine save to thwart Ross Fisher. The best chance though fell to Alan Cook on the half hour but although he beat the keeper his shot was cleared off the line by Ross Dunlop. Colin McMenamin then was denied twice in quick succession when Ross Stewart saved two headers.

The half time whistle blew with the score still level but three minutes after the restart the visitors took the lead when a Love header hit the post and Scott McBride was the first to react to fire the rebound home. Although Stewart made another fine save to deny Euan Murray the game was effectively finished when ex-Warrior Love tucked the ball away at the back stick after it was allowed to bounce along the six yard line.  The best passing move of the game so far by Stenhousemuir ended with a Cook effort saved before t he ball was transferred to the other end and McBride took advantage of weak tacking to skip into the box and fire home a third Rovers goal. Stewart brought off further saves from McMenamin and Stephen Stirling before the Warriors got a consolation goal with two minutes remaining when Jon Robertson and Mark Gilhaney combined to set up Jamie McCormack who rose high to head home. This gave the home support some cheer but there was more to come tinged with relief when the score from Stranraer came through. It was the Rovers that took well deserved plaudits from their supporterwrs at the end of the game.

Stenhousemuir – McCabe, McCormack [b83], Murray, Malcolm, Meechan [b23], Stirling [b90], Robertson, Millar [b18] [Mazana 64], McMenamin, Gilhaney and Cook [Small 77].  Subs not used – Summers, Scotland, Marenghi, Barclay and McCroary.

Albion Rovers – Stewart, Reid, Turnbull, Fisher [Archibald 82], R.Dunlop, M.Dunlop, Ferry [Barrowman 82][b90], Davidson [b90], McBride, Willis [Georgiev [h/t][b83] and Love [b13]. Subs not used – Talu, Lochhead, Petrie and Kerjean.

Referee – Kevin Graham                              Assistants – Graeme Stewart and Alan Hogg