Clyde 0 Albion Rovers 1 match review

Feb 23 2011 By Colin Paterson

IRN-BRU THIRD DIVISION:

CLYDE 0 ALBION ROVERS 1

CHRIS BOYLE scored his fourth goal of the season to clinch derby day delight for Albion Rovers.

The Cliftonhill winger netted in the first half at Broadwood Stadium last night to move his side a point behind SFL3 leaders Arbroath.

Clyde finished the game with ten men after John Sweeney was sent-off for a professional foul which led to an injury-time penalty missed by Chris Hamilton.

Delighted Rovers boss Paul Martin said: "There was a gulf between ourselves and Clyde and I’m pleased to get the win.

"We are the smallest club in the Third Division so to beat Clyde three times this season is a fantastic achievement for us.

"I think we have a really good side this season. We moved the ball around really well in the first half but we just can’t finish games off. The penalty kick is just typical for me."

Rovers made two changes to the side that drew at Annan Athletic on Saturday with Hamilton and Scott Chaplain in for Steven Lawless and Tony Stevenson.

The game started quietly but Martin’s men carved out the first chance in the 17^th minute when Robert Love drilled in a low shot which was held by Halliwell.

And it would only take another two minutes before Rovers opened the scoring.

Boyle expertly controlled a high ball on the edge of the box and fed John Gemmell.

The big striker’s delightful touch then found his team-mate who darted in behind the Bully Wee defence before firing past the keeper.

It was a goal which gave Rovers confidence and Gemmell could have doubled his side’s lead but couldn’t get on the end of Boyle’s near-post cross.

Rovers were controlling the match, and playing some lovely football, and a terrific move in the 36^th minute really did deserve a goal.

Some nice, one-touch play created space for Hamilton to send a pinpoint pass to Boyle on the left flank.

The former Kilmarnock winger then pinged over a cross to the back post which Hamilton lobbed into the path of Gemmell who promptly headed over from close-range.

Clyde produced little of note in the opening 45 minutes but on-loan Hibernian keeper Thomas Flynn needed to be on his toes to tip a Kevin Finlayson shot to safety.

The second half was an altogether more scrappy affair. The hosts won plenty of free-kicks and corners but were unable to land a telling blow.

In stoppage-time, Rovers were awarded a penalty when Sweeney pulled back Love in the box as the striker got ready to pull the trigger.

Referee Neil Watters was left with no choice but to send the Clyde player packing but Hamilton’s spot-kick was saved by Halliwell who also blocked the rebound.

Bully Wee boss Jim Duffy sighed: "I’m disappointed with the result and performance and Albion Rovers deserved to win. We were poor."

Clyde: Halliwell; Brown, Park, McMillan, McGowan; Waddell (Cochrane 80), Paterson (Thomson 68), Scullion, Finlayson; Stewart, Mulrooney (Sweeney 74).

Subs not used: Stevenson, Hutchison(gk).

Booked: McGowan, Stewart. Sent-off: Sweeney.

Albion Rovers: Flynn; Reid, Donnelly, Lumsden, McGowan (Innes 63); Hamilton, Canning, Chaplain, Boyle (Lawless 45); Love, Gemmell (Smith 77).

Subs not used: Stevenson, Gaston(gk).

Booked: Canning, Boyle.

Referee: Neil Watters.

Attendance: 507.