By Connor Ryan
Albion Rovers starting XI: 1. Harry Stone, 2. Adam Fernie, 3. Lewis Wilson, 4. James McGowan ©, 5. Sean Fagan, 6. Jamie Leslie, 7. Aaron Lynas, 8. David Wilson, 9. Blair Malcolm, 10. Callum Wilson, 11. Scott Roberts
Subs: 12. Tom Leighton (replaced James McGowan on 53’), 14. Alfie Robinson (replaced Lewis Wilson on 73’), 15. Joshua Jack (replaced Callum Wilson on 83’), 16. Kieran Dolan (replaced Jamie Leslie on 77’), 17. Cameron Binnie
Annan Athletic starting XI: 1. Greg Fleming, 2. Charlie Barnes, 3. Cameron Clark, 4. Owen Moxon, 5. Matty Douglas ©, 6. Scott Hooper, 7. Tony Wallace, 8. Dominic Docherty, 9. Aidan Smith, 10. Tommy Goss, 11. Michael Garrity
Subs: 12. Jon Connolly, 14. Kyle Fleming, 15. Roan Steele (replaced Charlie Barnes on 59’), 16. Lewis Hunter (replaced Dominic Doherty on 59’), 17. Steven Swinglehurst, 18. Jordan Lowdon (replaced Aidan Smith on 87’), 19. Iain Anderson (replaced Michael Garrity on 59’), 20. Rob McCartney (replaced Tommy Goss on 87’)
Rovers were on fire as they put 4 past 2nd placed Annan Athletic at Galabank to secure a massive 3 points.
Despite being pegged back to 2-2 after going 2-0 up, Rovers kept their performance levels high amongst an injury hit squad and managed to score another 2 goals in the last 15 minutes to further themselves from the relegation spots.
The first chance of the match would appear in the 5th minute as David Wilson’s free kick from around 30 yards went narrowly wide of the post.
Following this free-kick, Tommy Goss of Annan would be played through on goal, but his shot was blazed over the bar.
A massive chance would arrive for Scott Roberts 5 minutes later as Annan defender Charlie Barnes miskicked the ball allowing Roberts to swoop in and place himself 1 on 1 with Greg Fleming but his tame effort is easily saved down low.
As the halfway point of the first half approached, Rovers would take the lead through Blair Malcolm as he cut inside down the left and sent his curling effort from 25 yards into the back of the net.
Rovers would go onto double their lead just 7 minutes later as Scott Roberts shot towards goal was deflected past Fleming to give Rovers a deserved and comfortable 2 goal lead.
It looked as though Rovers would go into the break with their 2-goal advantage, but the deficit was halved just before half time as Tommy Goss got a goal back with a header from a corner.
Rovers first substitution would occur 8 minutes after the restart as captain James McGowan was replaced by Tom Leighton.
The first big chance of the second half wouldn’t arrive until just after the hour mark as Aaron Lynas was forced to clear the ball off the line to prevent Annan grabbing an equaliser.
David Wilson would then see himself through on goal in the 65th minute but his resulting volley was easily saved by Fielding.
Annan Athletic would apply the pressure and grab their equaliser with just under 20 minutes left to play as Tony Wallace’s low finish in the box found it’s way past Harry Stone who had no chance.
Lewis Wilson would then be forced off through injury in the 73rd minute and was replaced by Alfie Robinson.
A third substitution for Rovers saw Kieran Dolan replace Jamie Leslie as Brian Reid’s men went searching to regain their lead with an attacking option.
Both sides would see goal-mouth scrambles between the 78th and 81st minute which almost seen both sides take the lead as the game entered its final stages.
Rovers would make a fourth substitution as another attacking option was brought on in the form of Joshua Jack who replaced Callum Wilson with 8 minutes left to play.
It would be Rovers who would take the lead once again with 5 minutes left to play as Sean Fagan, following a corner, would rifle the ball into the roof of the net following another scramble.
It looked as though Annan may get an equaliser once again in the 88th minute but Stone would produce a superb save with his right hand to keep Annan out.
Rovers would wrap up the game in the 90th minute with substitute Kieran Dolan being played through on goal and driving a low shot into the bottom, right corner to ensure Rovers went home with all 3 deserved points.
The match would end 4-2 to Rovers as Rovers put on one of their best performances of the season to ensure safety in Cinch league 2 as they extend their point difference over tenth place to 13 points and extend their unbeaten run to 4 games.
