By Chris Toner
Albion Rovers crashed out of the first round of the SPFL Trust Trophy following a 3-2 comeback victory by Celtic B at The Reigart Stadium.
Despite leading 2-0 in the opening half hour through captain Sean Fagan’s opening minute goal and a Dylan Corr own goal, goals from Rocco Vata, Bosun Lawal and Owen Moffat ensured the Lowland League side advanced to the second round.
Rovers found themselves in dreamland in the opening minute as Fagan got the last touch on a corner to send Cliftonhill into euphoria.
Amaury Testa was then unlucky not to double the lead as his free kick was straight at Tobi Oluwayemi.
Celtic would then grow into the game, with Chris Smith being forced to make saves from Johnny Kenny, Moffat and Vata.
But then Rovers caught Celtic on the break and doubled their lead as Corr diverted Testa’s cross into his own net.
Rovers were then unlucky not to put the game out of sight as Charlie Reilly had a shot blocked, before Tsoanelo Letsosa had to clear off the line a minute later.
Celtic got back into the game as Vata’s chance from the left of the box went under Smith and into the net. Reilly would later create a chance after bursting into the box, but was denied by Oluwayemi.
Rovers were dealt a cruel blow six minutes before the half as Lawal’s header from a corner beat Smith after some poor defending in the box.
And the comeback for Celtic was complete just five minutes into the second half as captain Matthew Anderson’s cross across the goal was tapped in by Moffat.
Rovers would look to get back in the game as Callum Wilson had a shot blocked just after the hour mark. At the other end, Blair Malcolm made a goal-saving challenge to deny Kenny.
Moffat had a go from range to seal it for Celtic, but it sailed high and wide and Kenny later blazed a shot over.
Rovers substitute Kieran Dolan put Celtic under pressure with ten minutes to go and won a corner, from which Oluwayemi made a save to ensure Celtic held on.
Teams
Albion Rovers: Smith, Fernie, Malcolm (booked 31′), McColl, Fagan (C), Leslie (80′ for Taylor), Wilson (75′ for Greenwood), Duncan, Testa, Wright (61′ for Dolan), Reilly (booked 68′, 75′ for McGrath) Substitutes: Leighfield, Dolan (61′ for Wright), McGrath (75′ for Reilly), Greenwood (75′ for Wilson), Devine, Taylor (80′ for Leslie)
Celtic B: Oluwayemi, Murphy, Anderson (C), Lawal, Corr, Otoo (booked 88′), Vata, Letsosa, Kenny, Summers (booked 67′, 68′ for Davidson), Moffat (73′ for Carse) Substitutes: Morrison, Luyeye, Mackenzie, Carse (73′ for Moffat), Thomson, Davidson (68′ for Summers), Quinn, Kelly, Agbuire
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
Assistant Referees: Gordon McCabe, Terry Ormiston
Albion Rovers Man of the Match: Blair Malcolm
Attendance: 542
