By Connor Ryan
Albion Rovers starting XI: 17. Chris Smith 2. Adam Fernie 3. Blair Malcolm 4. Ayrton Sonkur © 6. Kyle Fleming 7. Callum Wilson 8. Jamie Leslie 9. Scott Roberts 10. Michael Paton 11. Charlie Reilly 15. Devan McColl
Subs: 13. Luca Sandberg 14. Amaury Testa (replaced Devan McColl on 74’) 16. Barry Duncan (replaced Kyle Fleming on 68’) 18. Kieran Dolan (replaced Michael Paton on 74’) 19. Max Wright (replaced Max Wright on 68’) 21. Jonny Greenwood
Forfar Athletic starting XI: 1. Marc McCallum 2. Roberto Nditi 3. Tomas Brindley 19. Andrew Munro 6. Kyle Hutton 10. Craig Slater © 12. Callum Moore 7. Craig Thomson 11. Stefan McCluskey 17. Ben Armour 9. Matthew Aitken
Subs: 31. Jay Kennedy 23. Gary Irvine 24. Kevin Hanratty (replaced Craig Thomson on 83’) 20. Gary Harkins 8. Joshua Jack (replaced Ben Armour on 76’) 4. Darren Whyte 22. Tarek Abed
Rovers 3 match unbeaten run came to an end this afternoon as Forfar Athletic picked up all 3 points at Cliftonhill.
The Loons picked up a 2-0 win with goals from Mathew Aitken and Kyle Hutton in the second half bringing Forfar out of the drop zone and plunging Rovers into it as a result.
It would take just 5 minutes for the first big chance of the game to appear, and it would go Forfar’s way as a goal-line scramble almost found its way into the back of the net but some desperate defending from Rovers seen the ball cleared to safety.
Chris Smith would then be called into action again just a minute later as his quick reactions were required to deny Stefan McCluskey’s effort.
The first fifteen minutes would be all Forfar with Chris Smith and the Rovers defence being called into action on numerous occasions as Forfar ramped up their early pressure as Rovers seen very little of the ball.
Rovers first chance wouldn’t arrive until the 23rd minute as Andrew Munro was booked for a challenge on Charlie Reilly. Reilly would go onto take the free kick but sadly it wouldn’t come to anything.
There would be a handball claim against Forfar ten minutes before the break, but the referee waved away any complaints.
The last notable actions of the half would see Jamie Leslie pick up a yellow card, with a goal from Stefan McCluskey being ruled out also for offside, reminding Rovers of how much danger Forfar had caused throughout the first half.
Roberto Nditi would also pick up a booking just before half time.
Rovers would have the first chance of the second half, and it would come through Devan McColl who appeared to be barged over in the Forfar box, however again the referee waved any protests from the Rovers fans and players.
5 minutes after the restart, Rovers would have another chance with it this time coming through Michael Paton who’s strike forced Marc McCallum into a good stop.
Forfar Athletic would take the lead on the 51st minute as Mathew Aitken who slotted past Chris Smith after a nice move to get past Blair Malcolm in the box.
Chris Smith would be forced into another good stop just 5 minutes later as he parried the ball out for a corner as Forfar ramped up the pressure chasing a second goal.
Rovers would be forced to clear yet another goal mouth scramble on the 63rd minute following some more desperate defending from a corner.
The first 2 changes of the match for Rovers would arrive on the 68th minute with Max Wright and youngster Barry Duncan coming on for Scott Roberts and Kyle Fleming as Rovers looked for some more creativity.
Further changes for Rovers would arrive a few minutes later as Amaury Testa and Kieran Dolan came on to replace Devan McColl and Michael Paton as Rovers looked to go more attacking into the last twenty minutes.
With just over ten minutes to play, Forfar Athletic would double their lead through a Kyle Hutton header which all but secured the 3 points for The Loons.
The last action of the game would see Blair Malcolm going into the referee’s book for shouting in front of the referee as the clock ticked down.
The result sees Rovers go to the bottom of the table and will now set their sights on an away trip to Stranraer in 2 weeks’ time where they will be looking to regain form and welcome back some of the squad that are currently injured.
Goal scorers: Matthew Aitken and Kyle Hutton
Man of the Match: Adam Fernie
Bookings: Blair Malcolm (yellow) Kyle Fleming (yellow) Tomas Brindley (yellow) Andrew Munro (yellow) Roberto Nditi (yellow)
Referee: Stuart Luke
Assistant Referees: Stewart Williamson and Kevin Buchanan
