SFL 3rd Division - Albion Rovers 2 - 1 Queen's Park

Last updated : 04 January 2007 By Andyboy
We missed chance after chance throughout the match and two poor losses of possesion in midfield led to counter attacking moves which allowed Rovers to score against the run of play TWICE!!

There was a boost for boss Stark prior to the match as Richard Sinclair had served his 2 match suspension allowing the club captain to move into defence. This freed up Paul Ronald to move back to his favoured forward role where he influenced the game greatly in a 4-3-3 formation where he was played up front with Tam Murray and David Weatherston. Injury to midfield stalwart Tony Quinn also allowed Paul Cairney to move into his favoured central midfield role.

The first half was a poor, scrappy affair where neither side looked too likely to open the scoring though Queen's did look the more likely to do so. Mark Ferry slammed one over the crossbar from a tight angle when Weatherston, Murray, Ronald and Cairney where all waiting to slam home the cutback that never came. In a half of few opportunites the closest either side came was when Ewings made a smart stop from Weatherston's left foot volley from the edge of the box.

It could only get better in the second period entertainment wise and Queen's began to dominate. Ferry had a few opportunities from the edge of the box blocked by the impressive Rovers backline before firing one over from 20 yards when it looked easier to hit the ball on target. Paul Ronald also had a great header cleared off the line by the impressive Tommy Lennox, the Rovers left full back.

Rovers then took the lead against the run of play. An impressive counter attacking move ending with Patrick Walker heading home from six yards under absolutely no pressure as Damiano Agostini and Richard Sinclair went AWOL. We then went back up the park and pressurised the home sides backline some more. Tam Murray was coming into the came and he came close with a shot from the edge of the box deflected behind by Lennon for a corner. From the Canning corner the ball was cleared and moments later Canning delivered a second cross towards Ronald. He was pulled to the ground by Nicholl as he went for the header and referee Craig Charleston didn't have to hesitate before pointing to the spot. Canning stepped up and slammed the ball low to Ewings right.

We continued to pile on the pressure but injury to Agostini forced a tactical reshuffle. Robert Dunn was introduced and it was the midfielder's cheap loss of possesion which led to Walker slamming home a 25 yard low shot for the late, late winner.

QUEEN'S PARK: David Crawford, Richard Sinclair, Mick Dunlop, Paul Ronald, Damiano Agostini (Robert Dunn), Steven Canning, Stuart Kettlewell, Paul Cairney, Tommy Murray, David Weatherston, Mark Ferry

SUBS NOT USED: Xander Cowie, David Waters, Chris Colquhoun, Richard Bowers

GOALSCORER: Steven Canning (pen 68)

BOOKING: Tommy Murray

REFEREE: Craig Charleston

ATTENDANCE: 408

MAN OF THE MATCH: Paul Cairney