Rovers weather storm to keep cup hopes alive

Oct 29 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

IT was a day of traffic jams, overturned caravans and team buses falling apart.

But not even the wrath of Mother Nature could prevent gutsy Albion Rovers booking their place in the third round of the Scottish Cup.

Paul Martin’s troops endured a nightmare trip across the border but once there, simply rolled the sleeves up and got on with the job of securing a vital victory.

The significance of this success can’t be underestimated. After all, Rovers’ record in the nation’s favourite knockout competition isn’t something to write home about.

In the past seven seasons, the Coatbridge outfit had reached the second and third rounds twice and fallen at the first hurdle on three occasions.

Rovers badly need a cup run, for playing reasons as much as financial ones.

Yet they may have felt as if events were conspiring against them as they headed for the east coast.

An accident on the main road into Berwick saw the Rovers team coach held up in traffic. The situation was made even worse when their vehicle’s skylight blew off.

“It felt like a bomb had gone off,” said boss Martin. “We were about 27 miles from Berwick and it flew like a frisbee down an embankment.

“The driver said we should nominate one of the guys to go and get it but you would have needed Spiderman as the embankment was so deep!”

And things didn’t get much better when the game got underway, with Darren Gribben firing the home side into the lead.

But goals from Tommy Coyne - his first in Rovers’ colours - and Ross Harris helped the club safely negotiate this banana skin.

“I thought we deserved to win,” added the manager. “We created a lot of chances and we certainly looked as if we had the edge.

“I was delighted to see Tommy score. He may have been feeling some pressure but as long as he links the play and works hard, I am happy.

“They had chances but I think the better ones fell to us. The conditions made life difficult and we didn’t pass the ball well. At times, the game was quite condensed.

“But it was a magnificent strike from Ross that won us the game. The pace on his shot was unbelievable.”

Three of Martin’s four loan stars - Chris McCluskey, Todd Lumsden and Stevie Canning - were unavailable so the gaffer was forced into several changes.

Tony Mitchell and Robert Walker were brought into the starting line-up and there was also a place for dynamic playmaker, Bobby Barr.

And it took the former St Johnstone youngster just four minutes to make his presence felt, providing Callan Adam with an opportunity to test Berwick keeper Ryan McGurk.

Ciaran Donnelly had a couple of efforts on goal as Rovers pressed for a breakthrough but they fell behind in the 32nd minute.

Poor defending saw Gribben collect possession, round stopper Mitchell and slot the ball into an empty net.

But Berwick’s advantage lasted only three minutes as Rovers pulled level. Patient build-up resulted in Coyne converting from close-range.

A Barr strike following a surging run whistled inches past the post as Martin’s troops finished the half strongly, Adam also came tantalisingly close.

Michael McGowan was well-placed to deny Berwick midfielder Fraser McLaren shortly after the restart, Mitchell then did well to thwart Gribben.

The tie was evenly-poised but Rovers surged ahead thanks to a moment of magic from Harris whose dipping shot from 30 yards flew into the net.

Now it was just a case of holding on. A Gribben cross into the box looked dangerous but Alan Benton intercepted.

Coyne drilled an effort wide before Donnelly was just off-target with a header from Barr’s corner.

Berwick’s last attack saw Jim Lister blaze over the bar from five yards.

The polythene which had replaced the skylight blew off the team bus within minutes of departing Shielfield - but not even a soaking on the road home could have ruined Rovers’ day.

Advertiser man of the match: Bobby Barr. The nippy winger returned from injury in style.

Moment of the match: A stunning strike from Ross Harris helped Rovers into round three.

Berwick: McGurk, Fraser, Dillon, Ewart, Horn, G Greenhill (Lennox 76), McLaren, Craig Anderson (Callaghan 83), Lister, Gribben, D Greenhill (Chris Anderson 76). Subs not used: Guy, Lunn (gk).

Albion Rovers: Mitchell, Reid, McGowan, Donnelly, Walker, Benton, Harris (Crozier 87), Coyne, Barr, Pollock (Eaglesham 64), Adam.

Subs not used: Ferry, Wright, McGoldrick.

Booked: Walker.

Referee: Anthony Law.

Attendance: 259.