Cliftonhill Terrace Talk

Aug 20 2008 With Sam Tennent, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

THREE league games and no points is a disappointing start for Paul Martin and the boys. Counting cup-ties, that’s five successive defeats since our excellent victory at Stenhousemuir in the first competitive match of the season.

However, it’s not all gloom and doom at Cliftonhill. In the course of these games, the fans have seen a lot of hard work and some flashes of good attacking football.

The problem has been converting that good play into goals. Only against Forfar were we decisively second best and even in that game it took a dubious penalty to set the Loons on their way to victory.

The Challenge Cup game against Raith saw the team produce a fabulous second half performance when they took the tie to extra-time and penalties with only two great stops from the Raith keeper denying us a famous victory.

Rovers also dominated for spells against East Stirling but failed to capitalise on some nice approach play and were punished as a result with the Shire grabbing the only goal of the game.

On Saturday, Rovers visited Central Park for the second time in five days. A rousing cup-tie on Tuesday night saw us go out to a last-gasp winner after a great display in which Bobby Barr was outstanding.

Rovers were looking for revenge and when Pat Walker scored a smash-and-grab equaliser, that seemed a possibility.

However, a spectacular strike from former Cliftonhill favourite John Gemmill robbed us of a well-deserved point. The “Beast” of course also scored in the midweek cup-tie confirming the footballing truism that former players always come back to haunt their old employers.

For the Rovers that seems to be doubly true.

The manager still has time to strengthen the team and a quality midfield playmaker must be top of his list. Not easy on a limited budget but we must hope that the management team can unearth a gem. Another Scott Chaplain would do nicely thanks!

Meanwhile, it’s vital that we get some points on the board. After three consecutive away games, Rovers play hosts to the Wee Rangers from Berwick on Saturday. Why not come along and help cheer on the team to secure their first points of the campaign.