Username
Password
Promotion push continues: Rovers 1 Blues 4
By C. Ferguson
February 19 2004
Stranraer got back to winning ways at Cliftonhill with a comfortable 4-1 victory over a poor Albion Rovers. Goals in the first half from Lee Collins and Murray Henderson put the Blues on their way before John Bradford pulled a goal back for Rovers. David Graham and Lee Sharp completed the rout.

ALBION ROVERS

1-4

STRANRAER

Bradford (73)
(0-2)
Collins (17),
Henderson (24),
Graham (74),
Sharp (90)

Stranraer kept their promotion hopes up thanks to a fine victory at Cliftonhill Stadium. The Blues took the lead in the 17th minute thanks to former Rovers player Lee Collins. The ball broke to the midfielder at the edge of the box and he rifled a low shot into the corner of the net to send the 100 or so Blues fans wild.

Stranraer added a second when Lee Sharp's inswinging corner initially found Stephen Swift. His effort got blocked with the rebound falling to defender Murray Henderson who rammed home from close range much to the delight of his 5 or so mates from Carluke.


Rovers pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute through former Ayr and Stranraer striker John Bradford. The goal came courtesy of two mistakes by Blues players. Firstly Fraser Wright out wide got caught in possesion and the resulting cross was punched straight to Bradford by McCondichie with the Rovers hitman just back from injury making no mistake by slamming the ball home.

The Coatbridge's side joy was shortlived though because after a period of Blues posession Stephen Swift's excellent through ball found the inrushing David Graham and from just inside the box the pacy wee striker nicely tucked the ball under the advancing Neil Bennett to restore the two-goal advantage.

Stranraer could have extended their lead with a couple of great chances before they eventually finally did through the impressive Lee Sharp. For once in the match we got something from the officials when Andy McCondichie's long kick up the park looked to clearly to put David Graham off-side as he was in the centre of the pitch and behind the Rovers defence. As the Rovers defence stood still Sharpy and Turnball ran clean in on goal with Sharp taking it on himself to slot the ball home to give Stranraer another comfortable win and another 4 goals.

Man of the Match: Allan Jenkins - Covered every blade of grass. Showed good ability at times too. Unlucky to get booked especially when some of the Rovers tackles were 10 times worse. Can't fault any of the players though. When it was 2-1 they dug in and fought back brilliantly. Also mentions for Aitken and Collins in the middle of the park.

Overall Summary: Enjoyable night for the 100 or so Blues fans. If we continue to work for the points like we did last night we must surely be on for promotion if not the championship.

Attendance: 427

Team / Formation:

McCondichie
Swift
Wingate
Henderson
Wright
Aitken
Collins
Sharp
Jenkins
Finlayson
Graham

Subs:

  • D Turnbull for K Finlayson (88)
  • Subs not used: McAllister, Cruickshank, Marshall, Meechan

    Referee: J. Fleming

    Stranraer Bookings:

    Allan Jenkins (72) Foul

    Albion Rovers: Neil Bennett, Chris Kerr, Andy Paterson, Jordan Smith, Sean Sweeney, Scott Crabbe, Marc McKenzie, Ricky Patrick, Jered Stirling, Paul McManus, James Mercer Substitutes: Mathew Carr, Charles Connolly, John McCaig, Tony Low, John Bradford.

    Substitutions: T Low for C Kerr (33), J Bradford for M McKenzie (72)
    Yellow Cards: Chris Kerr(30),Sean Sweeney(36),Ricky Patrick(45),Tony Low(56)

    View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

    Bookmark or share this story with: