Blue Brazil were tough nut to crack – but Rovers did it

Nov 5 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

NEVER mind the TV show – Paul Martin reckons his side are the ones with the X Factor.

The Albion Rovers boss was buzzing this week after he watched his team beat promotion-chasing Cowdenbeath.

The Cliftonhill part-timers turned in a fine display to shock the Blue Brazil – and breathe fresh life into their own play-off bid.

Rovers currently sit in sixth spot in the Third Division table and are unbeaten on their last three outings.

Now Martin is hoping for three points at Berwick Rangers – whom his side had to fight hard to knock out of the Scottish Cup recently – as Rovers close in on a top four place.

He told the Advertiser: “We have good players here and the key is we have them in all areas of the park.

“I just feel there is something about us this season, maybe it is the X-factor. I think there are reasons for us to be optimistic.

“This Saturday becomes even bigger for us as we have the momentum and we need to try and maintain that.

“The win over Cowdenbeath was good for our confidence but it wasn’t a big result in terms of where we eventually want to be.

“When you get a big result, you tend to get carried away with yourselves.

“But the foundation of every win is hard graft and we will need more of that if we are to get a positive result down at Berwick.”

Martin added: “We know that we can’t cement our play-off place in November and for the Rovers it is sometimes a case of one step forward, two steps back.

“However, with this squad, I am confident that it can be three steps forward and only one back.

“The players have enthusiasm, solidity, resilience and a bit of quality about them.

“But we are aware that three defeats on the bounce will have us in the depths of despair again.”

Alan Reid and Bobby Barr were carrying knocks at the start of the week but are expected to be fit for the trip to Shielfield Park.