Stenhousemuir FC v Albion Rovers

Match Report

MATCH REPORT

Stenhousemuir v Albion Rovers at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 25.03.17

Ladbrokes SPFL League One              Att 433

Stenhousemuir 0 Albion Rovers 3 [R.Stewart 58,63, McBride 90]

This would have been as a key game by both managers in their attempts to stave off relegation. The Warriors had lost their last three games albeit away from home and were hoping that they would turn their fortunes around against an Albion Rovers side that had been struggling of late. Indeed Rovers had failed to win any of their last eight games and that run had saw them slump to second bottom in the league though they did have a couple of games in hand over the other clubs at the wrong end of the table. With David Marsh still suspended the back four stayed the same as the midweek game at Livingston. There were two changes though with Alan Cook and Colin McMenamin returning to the starting eleven whilst Ally Roy and Thomas Grant returned to the bench.

Both sides started fairly slowly and the first real chance for either team came in the 15^th minute when Mason Robertson just failed to get on the end of an Alan Cook cross. Two minutes later Albion Rovers really should have taken the lead when a Ross Ferry  pass split the home defence but Ryan Wallace with only the keeper to beat dragged his effort wide. David Crawford did well to react to save a Mark Ferry  effort just afterwards and as Albion Rovers grew in confidence Paul Willis half volleyed a Wallace knock down wide with Crawford rooted to the spot. Stenhousemuirs efforts were coming from scraps as they struggled to get through the visitors defence. Connor Duthie hit a powerful effort from distance that dipped just too late from 25 yards and then in the 33^rd minute Vinnie Berry pounced on a loose ball just outside of the box but he just missed the target as well.

With a minute of the half to go a lack of concentration almost cost Stenhousemuir a goal. Jamie McCormack was lackadaisical with a pass back and it went out for a corner. It was taken by Wallace and met by Michael Dunlop who saw his effort cleared off the line and there was a further escape for Stenhousemuir when the rebound fell back to him but he had a fresh air swipe.

Stenhousemuir had more possession in the first period but it was Rovers who had been the more threatening. Just after the restart Duthie linked up with Cook who in turn picked out Robertson who took a heavy touch and Rovers keeper Ross Stewart was able to scramble the ball clear for a corner. In the 49^th minute there was a further scare for the home side when hesitation between the defence allowed Ross Stewart a chance but luckily David Crawford recovered to block.

In the 58^th minute forward Ross Stewart showed his striking skills when he made room for himself on the left flank and curled a lovely shot into the net at the back post to put the Coatbridge side ahead. Stenhousemuir fell to pieces after that and although missed the target from close range in the 61^st minute he made no mistake two minutes later when he tapped a Wallace cross from the left into the net at the back stick.

Although Stenhousemuir did try and get back into the game they struggled to break down a solid and hard working Rovers side with only Connor Duthie coming close with long range efforts the pick of which was pushed out for a corner in the 81^st minute.

In stoppage time Rovers added to their score when Graham Bowman who was on for the injured Crawford lost a long ball in the low sun and Scott McBride intercepted and was able to roll the ball into the net.

Stenhousemuir – Crawford [Bowman 83], McCormack, Summers [Furtado 74], Meechan, Kerr, Berry, Duthie, Millar, McMenamin, Robertson [Roy 74] and Cook. Subs not used – Hamilton, Grant, Smith and Gilhaney.

Albion Rovers – Ross Stewart, McCann, Reid, Fisher, R.Dunlop, M.Dunlop, Fern, Davidson, Wallace [31][McBride 75], Willis [Gilmour 84] and Ross Stewart [Turnbull 87]. Subs not used – Lightbody, Potts, Shields and McManus.

Referee – Alan Newlands      Assistants – Stuart Hodge and Craig King