Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Albion Rovers at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 30.3.13

Irn Bru Scottish Second Division                 Att 360

Stenhousemuir 0 Albion Rovers 1 [Dallas 1]

The Warriors have had a dreadful record against Albion Rovers this season and indeed the visitor’s only win of 2013 had been in the last encounter between the teams. In that game Rovers grew in confidence after an early goal so it was vital that the same did not happen again.

Stenhousemuir gave a starting debut to Chris Smith on loan from St.Mirren after the retirement of Callum Reidford due to work commitments and it is safe to say that he had a debut that he will not forget as he picked the ball out of the net after only 13 seconds as Rovers scored the fastest goal in the Scottish Football League this season. The goal came about when Sean Dickson struggled after getting the ball stuck between his feet and Pat Walker capitalised to set up Chris Dallas and he fired across the keeper and into the net.

The Warriors responded well to this setback and Stewart Kean came close with a header with the game still in the first minute. They came even closer in the 7^th minute when Kean and John Gemmell combined for the later to drill a shot that Matt McGinley could only parry out and luckily for him the ball fell between two Stenhousemuir attackers. Gemmell then created another opening with clever footwork in the tenth minute but once again the keeper was to deny him. Eventually the keeper was beaten in the 14^th minute when Gemmell headed a Bryan Hodge corner past him but Scott Sally was able to clear off the line. This was the last time McGinley was called into action for a while and Rovers should have doubled their lead a minute later when Gary Phillips peeled off his marker and when his run was picked out he fired his shot from close range into the ground before Chris Smith made a comfortable save.

Stenhousemuir were forced to make a substitution at half time when Nicky Devlin replaced Jamie Reid who was suffering what looked to be a groin strain. This meant a number of changes with Sean Dickson moving to midfield and Greg Ross transferring to left back and Nick slotting in at right back.

There was further disruption in the 65th minute when Sean Dickson went off with an elbow injury and this meant a debut for Salim Kouider-Aissa who had signed from Motherwell on Friday. The 17 year old was only on the pitch for seconds when he got a welcome from Alan Reid who scythed the youngster down and was cautioned for his efforts. 

There was little football played in the second half and Stenhousemuir struggled to create many chances as their passing game fell away. In a rare passage of football though they almost equalised when McGinley made a superb stop to deny Gemmell from 10 yards after the defence was opened up following a Darren Smith and Kouider-Aissa combination.

 There was controversy in the 75th minute of the game when Peter Crawford went down in the box. Referee Barry Cook had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. This would have given Rovers a clear chance to put the game beyond doubt. However, before the kick was taken the stand side assistant flagged to get the referee’s attention and after consultation the decision was reversed and Crawford was cautioned for simulation. This incensed the Rovers bench and they had an official sent to the stand for comments made to the far side assistant.

There was another disruption for Stenhousemuir when Greg Ross left the field through a shoulder injury, but these injuries could not be blamed for a lacklustre display as they were once again outfought by Rovers.

The Warriors could have snatched a draw late on with McGinley saving from Hodge and then Kouider-Aissa saw a fierce free kick fly just wide with the keeper beaten. With the last touch of the ball David Rowson’s header went wide from close range. If they had drawn level though it would have been an injustice to the visitors who deserved the full three points.   

Stenhousemuir – C.Smith, Ross [Thomson 78], Dickson [Kouider-Aissa 65], Mbu, McMillan, Hodge, Reid [Devlin h/t], Rowson [b60], Gemmell, Kean and D.Smith. Subs not used – Corcoran and Shaw

Albion Rovers – McGinley, Reid [b66], Boyle, Innes, Andrews, Donnelly, Crawford, Sally [Thomson 74], Walker [Howard 57], Dallas [Tiffney 83] and Phillips. Subs –Green and Shepherd

Referee – Barry Cook     Assistants – David McGeachie and Willie Ferguson