By Connor Ryan
Albion Rovers starting XI: 1. Jack Leighfield 2. Adam Fernie 4. Ayrton Sonkur 5. Liam Fagan 15. Devan McColl 6. Kyle Fleming 7. Callum Wilson 8. Jamie Leslie 11. Charlie Reilly 9. Scott Roberts 14. Joe Bevan
Subs: 17. Christopher Smith 3. Blair Malcolm (replaced Leslie on 66′) 20. Lewis Kidd (replaced McColl on 72′) 22. Luke Graham 18. Kieran Dolan 10. Michael Paton 16. Barry Duncan (replaced Fleming on 66′) 21. Euan Mutale 23. John McCulloch (replaced Scott Roberts on 82′)
Stranraer starting XI: 31. Matthew Connolly 23. Sean Mcintosh 4. Kyle Girvan 5. Craig Ross 19. Finn Ecrepont 23. Matthew Grant 2. Scott Robertson 8. Grant Gallagher 17. Aaron Brown 12. Jonny Ngandu 10. Josh Walker
Subs: 13. George O’Connor 20. Luke Watt (replaced Brown on 46′) 6. Anthony Brady (replaced Ngandu on 77′) 16. Dylan Forrest (replaced Grant on 81′) 9. Craig Malcolm (replaced Walker on 81′) 24. Daryl Duffy
Rovers failed to build on their emphatic 5-1 win over Dumbarton at the weekend as they lost 1-0 to Stranraer last night.
A singular goal from Jonny Ngandu was enough for then-man Stranraer to secure the three points and move themselves eight points above the relegation play-off spot.
Rovers would appear to have been the more dominant side in the first half with Callum Wilson going close in the 8th minute as his shot was dragged inches by the post.
Jamie Leslie would be next to go close again for Rovers just five minutes later as his header looked destined for the bottom corner but a superb save from Matthew Connolly prevented the opening goal.
Craig Ross would pick up the first yellow card of the game as Charlie Reilly managed to beat him with pace before being hauled down to prevent a dangerous counter attack on the 20th minute.
Grant Gallagher would then go into the book for a similar challenge just five minutes later in order to prevent yet another Rovers counter-attack.
Just after the half hour mark, Connolly would be called into action twice again as he brilliantly saved Wilson’s curling effort from distance as well as managing to put Reilly off in the box causing his effort to go around the post.
Ayrton Sonkur would then see his header go agonisingly close as Adam Fernie picked him out at the back post but sadly it’s another chance that goes begging.
The 37th minute would see the opening goal of the game, and it would come for the visitors as Jonny Ndangu’s strike from just outside the box left Leighfield with little chance putting Stranraer 1-0 up against the run of play.
The last action of the half would see Stranraer be reduced to ten men as Craig Ross would pick up a second yellow card, meaning Stranraer would have to take a more defensive approach in the second half.
Rovers sadly couldn’t replicate their first half chances as they struggled to break down a resolute Stranraer side who defended extremely well to keep the score line at 1-0.
There would be a couple of chances for Rovers with Bevan and Reilly both testing Connolly throughout the second half, but nothing too challenging to get the fans off their feet.
Rovers would attempt to make a few substitutions in order to change up their attacking options with Lewis Kidd, Blair Malcolm, Barry Duncan, and Hibernian loanee John McCulloch replacing Scott Roberts, Kyle Fleming, Jamie Leslie, and Devan McColl throughout the half.
Despite the man advantage, Rovers couldn’t find the breakthrough leaving them just two points above the drop zone, with Bonnyrigg Rose coming up next Saturday in a crucial league encounter at Cliftonhill once again.
Goal scorers: Jonny Ngandu (SFC)
Bookings: Craig Ross (Second bookable offence) Grant Gallagher (yellow) Scott Robertson (yellow)
