Albion Rovers 2 Forfar Athletic 3

Reigart Stadium, Coatbridge
SPFL cinch League 2
Saturday 4 December 2021

The Loons picked up three points on the road with a hard fought win against Albion Rovers in Coatbridge.

The Reigart Stadium surface had suffered a heavy period of rain overnight on Friday so all credit to the Albion Rovers ground staff for ensuring the match went ahead.

In the tricky underfoot conditions both sides struggled to make inroads in the opening stages. The best chance of the match fell to Forfar's PJ Crossan in the 18th minute but he fired wide of the post. After a lengthy period of possession the visitors broke the deadlock in the 26th minute with Stefan McCluskey tapping home his sixth of the season from a deflected Craig Slater shot.

Rovers might have gone into half-time level through a strike by Charlie Reilly but for an excellent save by Marc McCallum, tipping the ball over the bar and maintaining the Loons' narrow lead.

Rovers came out strongly in the second half with chances to equalise but they couldn't find the target and it was the Loons who extended their lead in the 62nd minute. A beautifully curled shot found the bottom corner and, with it, a first goal for the Club for PJ Crossan.

Two minutes later Albion Rovers had pulled one back with a superb strike from Kieran Dolan curling over McCallum's head.

Rovers were on level terms within ten minutes when the Forfar defence couldn't clear their lines and Charles Reilly tapped in Rovers second.

Another first goal of the afternoon gave the Loons the three points. Steven Anderson got on the end of a free kick to put Forfar ahead in the 82nd minute. As well being the defender's first goal for the Club it was his first goal since scoring for Partick Thistle on loan from St Johnstone in March 2019.

Speaking after the match Anderson said: "That was a tough game on a heavy pitch. There wasn't much football played at times and it was a case of digging in and getting the win, especially after letting the lead slip. You can't panic when it goes level - you just say 'come on lads let's get our act together - we shouldn't be conceding two goals'. Too be fair their first goal is a great finish but for their second we should be doing better as a team."

"My job is not to be scoring goals all the time," he continued. "It's about keeping clean sheets so I'm disappointed on that front but it is of course good to get the goal for the win. At the end of the day the win is the most important thing and I'll leave the defender goalscoring limelight to big Andy (Munro) who already has a few goals to his name this season!"

The Loons saw the game out for the important win and the three points. "The win is the most important thing in these conditions," manager Gary Irvine said. "I'm from this area and I knew how much rain there was last night so it was going to be heavy going. I told the players it would be a physical and battling match and they had to be strong in those areas. So I'm pleased they stood up to the test. We knew Albion Rovers would be tough competitors - they’ve have had some good results since we last played them and by all accounts they held their own against Ayr United last week."

Irvine continued, "Of course I'm always going to be disappointed at losing goals. The first one was a wonder strike - which it would have to be to beat Marc (McCallum) - as you saw when he had that unbelievable save just before half-time. But we have to do better with their second goal and the lads know that. That said all credit to them, especially those who played most of the game, because it was heavy going and they had to work hard to get the win. That shows character and I'm pleased with that side of today’s performance."

Irvine also had a special word for Crossan and Anderson on their first goals for the Loons. "I'm delighted for PJ to get his goal. He's had a few chances in games and we've been taking him aside and working with him. Gary (Harkins) has had a bit of banter with him and also encouraging him to show a bit more finesse - he has a lot of power in his play which you need but at times he needs to control that and he'll get results as he did today. Harkins told him that at half-time. As for Ando he shows great character to get the winner. We are not happy with the point and players like Ando have that drive and determination to keep going to the last minute. So I'm pleased for him to get on the
scoresheet."

Irvine was quick to show appreciation to the Forfar support, "Thanks to Forfar supporters who made the trip in pretty poor conditions. I know it wasn't the best performance they've seen this season but hopefully they saw the character of the lads getting the win and it will be good to get back to Station Park next week."

With Kelty Hearts in Scottish Cup action against Montrose the gap between them at the top and Forfar in second stands at seven points. There is then a six point gap to Annan Athletic who defeated Edinburgh City on Friday evening.

The Loons fixture on Saturday coming is at home to Stirling Albion who despite losing to Cowdenbeath on Saturday are sitting in fourth. The 'Binos' of course inflcited one of Forfar’s two league defeats at Forthbank way back in September so it will be another tough match ahead for the team.

Albion Rovers
1 Binnie
2 Lynas
4 McGowan
5 Fagan
3 Fernie
7 O'Donnell
8 Wilson
6 Leslie
11 Reilly ⚽️ 74'
10 Wright ? Dolan 39' ⚽️ 64'
9 Doherty

Substitutes
12 Wilson
14 Morton
15 McVey
16 Dolan
17 Smith

Forfar Athletic
1 McCallum
2 Meechan
19 Munro
4 S Anderson ⚽️ 82'
3 Strachan
11G Anderson ? 55' ? Gallagher 89'
10 Slater
8 Ness
24 Crossan ⚽️ 62' ? Shepherd 73'
17 McCluskey ⚽️ 26'
9 Aitken ?Thomas 85'

Substitutes
12 Doris
14 Thomas
15 Hussain
16 Gallagher
18 Shepherd
21 Sanderson (GK)
23 Irvine
25 Fisher

Referee: Grant Irvine
Attendance: 213