Albion Rovers 0 Forfar Athletic 0

Saturday 19 March 2022
Reigart Stadium, Coatbridge 
SPFL cinch League 2

It could have gone either way. But, in the end, a draw was just about the right result at Cliftonhill. Despite much huffing, puffing and near things at both ends, neither Forfar nor Albion Rovers could find a way to break the goalless deadlock. At the close of play manager, Gary Irvine had to accept the point. 

  “It’s hard to know whether that was a point gained, two dropped or somewhere between the two,” said Irvine. “There were chances for both teams. They’ll be saying the same as us. We both had opportunities to take the three points. We certainly did. Craig Slater took one too many touches in front of goal. Scott Shepherd could have scored early on. Stefan McCluskey running through should have converted. And our set-plays were always threatening. 

  “On the other hand, Marc McCallum has made three world-class saves. And Andy Munro made a couple of last-ditch tackles. I can’t stand here and say we deserve the three points. Albion Rovers had their chances, too. So a point each is probably a fair result.”

  A factor in the stalemate was the uneven quality of the playing surface. Some decent weather had firmed up the Cliftonhill pitch, so a bobbling ball was more the norm than the exception.

  “We knew it was going to be tough coming here at this time of year,” confirmed Irvine. “On a day when the sun was out was kind, the pitch - although firm enough - was bouncy. And that was always making things difficult for the players. So it was never going to be pretty. We knew we had to ‘dig in.’ That was actually one little frustration for me. Albion probably shaded the midfield battles. But we did defend well.

  “Again, I’m happy with a point at the end of what has been a difficult week. Two away games on tough, grass pitches is a tough assignment from which we’ve emerged with four points. I’m never 100 percent happy with a draw in any game - we always strive for three - but this might be an exception.”

  Indeed, there were things to be pleased about in a Forfar performance that showed more life and vitality than has been the norm recently.  

  “Perhaps the biggest positive for me was that we got back to creating chances,” said Irvine, warming to his theme. “We are emerging from a frustration patch, one where we needed to get together and talk to each other. We haven’t been happy with the results and we haven’t been creating enough chances to change that. The front players had lost a bit of confidence. But in the last two ones we’ve had more shots on goal and more of those have been on target. That’s good to see. Now, of course, we have to convert more of those. 

  “This time of year is tricky. The teams have all played each other three times and have worked each other out to an extent. We know each other’s styles of play. The pitches can be challenging. And everyone is scrapping that wee bit harder. So games become a bit more physical. All of which I’m aware of. All we can do is keep plugging away and picking up points where we can. We need to finish the season as strongly as possible.”

  There were deserved worlds of praise too, for goalkeeper Marc McCallum. It is a matter of conjecture as to exactly how many points the Forfar no.1 is worth over the course of a season, but it is safe to say there are few better custodians operating outside the Scottish Premier League.  

  “I’m always reluctant to speak about keepers,” said Irvine. “I’m a defender and know that if I do, it means that something has gone at least a little wrong in front of him. So I maybe don’t highlight Marc enough. But I’m the first to send him a text after matches like this one where he has made important saves. He’s a massive player for us.”

  Looking forward, Forfar return to Station Park next week for a clash with bottom-of-the-table Cowdenbeath. It is a match the team will be keen to win after some recent lapses at home. 

  “We do need to get back to winning next Saturday,” underlined Irvine. “We owe that to the fans. Last time at Station Park we all left unhappy. So we need to put on a good performance and pick up the three points. I’ll reflect on what went on today between now and then. We tried to change things up today and maybe go a bit more direct. For most of this season, we’ve been a footballing side who pass the ball and create a lot. But the last two games we have adapted and next week will be the same. We’ll make adjustments. The astroturf pitch will allow us to play a wee bit more.”

Albion Rovers
1 Stone
2 Fernie ? Lynas 74'
5 Fagan ? 78'
4 McGowan ?54'
3 Wilson
6 Leslie
10 Wilson
7 Jack ? Roberts 50'
8 Wilson
11 Reilly ?Wright 81'
9 Doherty

Substitutes
12 Leighton
14 Robinson
15 Wright
16 Roberts
17 Binnie
18 Lynas
19 Malcolm

Forfar Athletic 
1 McCallum
2 Meechan
19 Munro
6 Whyte
26 Brindley
7 Thomson
10 Slater ? 58'
12 Hutton
22 Moore ?Harkins  71'
18 Shepherd ? Crossan 65'
9 Aitken ? McCluskey 79'

Substitutes
3 Strachan
11 G Anderson
14 Thomas
15 Hussain
16 Warnock
17 McCluskey
20 Harkins
21 Sanderson (GK)
24 Crossan

Referee: Mike Roncone

Attendance: 220