Rovers so poor ‘even Mourinho’ would despair

Aug 6 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

EVEN the cheerleaders would have had a job putting smiles on the faces of Rovers’ supporters after this opening league defeat.

Paul Martin’s men made a disappointing start to their Third Division campaign, with two second-half goals comfortably earning Forfar the points.

Following the highs of a late victory at Stenhousemuir in the Challenge Cup, this was a disappointing way for Rovers to open the new term at Cliftonhill.

Boss Martin said afterwards that “even Jose Mourinho” wouldn’t have made a difference from the sidelines – so flat was the Coatbridge men’s display.

Perhaps this result shows that much hard work lies ahead for Rovers boss and his players, with Forfar good enough to win on the day but far from the finished article.

“When we didn’t have possession of the ball in our previous games, we had a good shape about us, but on Saturday we didn’t,” said Martin.

“We had a couple of chances at 1-1 when we had a bit of pressure for about 10-15 minutes and that was the time where if we really pushed on, we would have won.

“Then history would have shown that we would have had a bad first half but turned it around in the second half.”

Moments before kick-off, a minute’s applause was held in memory of club employee and Rovers fanatic Bobby Bell, who died recently and was laid to rest last week.

The manager was again viewing proceedings from the stands as he served the last of a two-match ban.

Suspension ruled out full-back Alan Reid, who was replaced with Tommy Wright, and striker Willie Martin.

Forfar, who finished rock-bottom of the Scottish Football League last season, were keener and in the first minute Elliot Smith took advantage of weak defending to fire in a shot that was blocked by keeper David Scott.

In the 14th minute, the Loons manoeuvred themselves into a dangerous position when the unmarked Smith collected the ball from a Stephen McNally throw-in but he drove harmlessly over the bar.

But the scoreline wouldn’t remain unchanged for long and three minutes later Forfar opened the scoring through a penalty.

Alan Benton tangled with the visitors’ Ross Campbell just inside the box and when the Rovers defender fell to the ground, his hand made contact with the ball.

Referee Craig Charleston immediately awarded a spot-kick and Kevin McLeish confidently stepped-up to slot it home.

Forfar could have doubled their lead a few minutes later when Smith crossed for Derek Lilley but his header was nodded off the line by Ciaran Donnelly.

Barr tried to spark Rovers into life with a run and shot and his persistence was rewarded with a goal a minute before the break.

The ex-St Johnstone kid cut inside from the left wing and drilled a low shot beyond Loons stopper Ally Brown to make it 1-1.

No-one in a Rovers jersey connected with a Marc Pollock cross before keeper Scott took no chances with McLeish’s curling shot and turned it away.

A great move almost led to the home side snatching the lead. Barr dispossessed McNally and suddenly Forfar were vulnerable.

Man-of-the-match Barr played a neat one-two with Pollock, which failed at the last second when Brown made a vital intervention.

Rovers were then caught with a sucker punch in the 69th minute, when a terrific ball from Smith found Craig Winter, who powerfully headed home.

The crowd witnessed a bizarre moment in the 80th minute when Loons substitute midfielder Martin Fotheringham tangled with a Rovers defender and knocked over the corner flag.

The assistant referee replaced the flag only for Fotheringham to snap it in half with a petulant kick for which he was shown a yellow card.

Martin made changes and threw on hitman Tommy Coyne but his side were finding it difficult to push forward and make an impression in the final third of the pitch.

With six minutes left, Dick Campbell’s Forfar sealed Albions’ fate with another strike.

A long upfield ball saw Scott advance from goal only for sub Manson to lift a shot over his head and into the net.

It capped a poor afternoon for Rovers who will need to perform far better if they are to have a realistic shot at the play-offs.

Advertiser man of the match: Bobby Barr. The young striker once again was lively and notched a first half goal.

Albion Rovers: Scott, Hughes, McGowan, R Walker, Benton, Donnelly, Ferry (Coyne 71), Wright (McGoldrick 71), Pollock (McKenna 82), Barr, P Walker. Subs not used: Smith, Mitchell(gk).

Booked: McGowan.

Forfar: Brown, McNally (Fotheringham 70), Ferguson, Tulloch, Dunn, Smith (Manson 78), McLeish, Winter, Lilley, Brady, Campbell (Duell 70). Subs not used: Fraser.

Booked: Tulloch, Brady, Campbell, Fotheringham.

Referee: Craig Charleston.

Attendance: 289

Moment of the match: The minute’s applause before kick-off in memory of Rovers’ terrace stalwart Bobby Bell was a fitting tribute.