Final preview
Defender Alan Reid is set to return after illness as ROVERS look to overturn a two-goal deficit to Stranraer in the Scottish Second Division play-off final.
Suspended striker John Gemmell will not be available for Sunday’s second leg, with Rovers manager Paul Martin set to pick a replacement from the trio of Robert Love, Danny Mackay and Jack Werndly.
Martin said: “Stranraer are in a very strong position but we are at home and are looking to make it a really great game.
“I will freshen things up from Wednesday night to ensure we are doing everything at a pace that suits us and not Stranraer. ”We have enjoyed being in the Second Division and do not want to give up our position.” ”Man City were dead and buried going into injury time last Sunday against Queens Park Rangers as they needed two goals. They scored twice in 90 seconds to turn things around so we can go in against Stranraer knowing that things can be turned around very quickly.”
Stranraer will hand midfielder Ryan Borris a fitness test. The 28-year-old is doubtful after suffering a hamstring injury but every other member of the Blues squad is fit and available. The Stair Park side are looking to build on a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in order to return to the third tier after a three-year absence.
Assistant manager Stephen Aitken said: “We go into this game in the same way we went into the semi-final second leg against Queen’s Park in that we are two goals ahead. ”We scored two quick goals there to get the tie won and it would be great to do that in this game as promotion would be a fantastic achievement.”
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Alan Reid Interview
Albion Rovers are looking to defy gravity for the first time in nearly 80 years by staying up in the Second Division by seeing off Stranraer at Cliftonhill on Sunday despite being two goals down. The Coatbridge side are also hoping that their ‘Mr Consistent’, Alan Reid, will get over the sickness bug that saw him miss out in midweek and allow him to take his place in the second meeting.
Reid had played in all but one of the Coatbridge side’s games this season prior to Wednesday night’s 2-0 defeat at Stair Park and Manager Paul Martin said: “Alan has been my Player of the Year this season so it was disappointing to be without him on Wednesday.”
“His name is usually the first on the team sheet as he has never been injured or ill before and has only missed one game in the last couple of years through suspension.”
Martin added, “Alan never gives you less than 7 out of 10 in a game and whilst he does not grab many headlines he is really valued at our place. We are hoping that he can shake his bug off and be available for Sunday.”
Reid is one of the players who quietly and effectively goes about his job and the size of his contribution to the Rovers cause is noticed more on the rare occasion he misses a game as was probably the case against the Blues.
Martin summed things up by saying, “Whilst he does not grab many headlines he is very highly thought of at the Rovers.”
Reid takes praise in his stride saying, “I joined Albion 5 years ago from Hamilton Accies after having been here for a short spell as a Youth players. John McCormack brought me in and I have been at right back ever since my second season. The first season I played all over the place but I have been at right back for the rest of my time.”
“I have been happy with my own form and the gaffer must be as well as he would not be picking me. I missed one game through suspension and then missed out on Wednesday due to illness.”
The year on year progress that saw Albion promoted last season started under McCormack back in 2007, and was built on by Martin when he moved up from assistant manager in 2008.
Two years later an unexpected challenge for a Play-Off place in the Third Division fell short by just one point, however twelve months later promotion was secured.
Play-Off wins over Queen’s Park and Annan Athletic saw the Rovers secure promotion out of the bottom Division for the first time since 1989 and Reid said, “Our season in the Second Division has been a bit up and down but it would be a massive achievement for this club to stay up. We had a disappointing first quarter but a great second one.”
“Our form then disappeared but we were determined not to give up and the manager stuck with us. We have been battling to stay up since day one and are determined to do it.”
The size of Rovers’ achievement in even being this close to survival was summed up by Reid who said, “In modern times the club has never been up and stayed up so people keep telling us that we can make ourselves legends of Albion Rovers if we see off Stranraer. The last time was 10 years before the Second World War.”
Spirit is the key to the success Rovers have seen with Reid saying, “We all get along and that spirit has been brilliant despite some disappointing days. You see what experienced guys like Ciaran Donnelly give to the team and you want to copy that. Everyone wants to play for each other and we all socialise away from the games as well.”
That spirit saw Rovers stand strong to get promoted at Galabank last season in the second leg of the Play-Off final as Annan turned around a 4-1 aggregate deficit to 4-3. The Black and Gold had Rovers pinned back in the closing stages as they searched for the goal that would take the game into extra time.
Reid said, “Robert Love had scored a great hat-trick to give us a 3-1 lead in the first leg and then Ciaran had scored down at Annan. They came back into things and our goalkeeper Derek Gaston came up with a great save in the last minute in a one on one situation to keep us ahead.”
“Everyone plays their part at Albion Rovers.”
That spirit helped Rovers to this season’s Final following two tough meetings with Elgin that saw them triumph 2-1 thanks to Scott Chaplain’s last minute winner.
Reid said, “That was a great win when you consider we were up there and went down to ten men quite early when Mick O’Byrne was sent off. Their manager said we ‘Parked the Bus’ which was an unfair thing to say as I thought we played everything really well defensively when you consider it was a two legged game.”
“In fact that comment made us all the more determined for the second leg and everyone was really up for the return.”
Reid added, “It would be great if we could keep that spirit going for one more game and secure our Second Division place again. Rovers are a terrific club with a great Chairman, a great manager and a very loyal group of players and fans.”
Staying up on Sunday would be the perfect day for Reid, although one thing would make it better and that would be finally finding the net for his side.
Reid said, “I have never ever scored in a first team match and you can imagine the stick I get for that. I have scored in a couple of pre-season games so I count them as well as counting the ones I get in training.”
“Coming back from two down, scoring and Second Division football next season would be an amazing Sunday. I would gladly settle for the first and last objectives all the same.”
Thanks to the SFL – Article HERE
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Stranraer 2 v 0 Albion Rovers
Blues take charge
Stranraer moved a huge step towards promotion to the Scottish Second Division after taking a 2-0 lead from their play-off final first leg at home to Albion.
The Blues took the lead six minutes before half-time when Frank McKeown tapped home Stephen Stirling’s cross from six yards.
Martin Grehan came close to doubling Stranraer’s lead 10 minutes into the second half but Albion keeper Derek Gaston parried away his 18-yard effort.
Sean Winter missed a decent close-range chance for the hosts while Albion rarely threatened with Sean Pierce and Ryan McStay firing shots off target from range.
But Stranraer added a crucial second goal in injury time, Michael Moore finding the bottom corner from 12 yards to leave Albion staring relegation in the face.
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ARFC
Albion Rovers Football Club are from Coatbridge and play in the IrnBru Scottish Football League 2nd Division.