By Connor Ryan
Rovers bounced back from a midweek defeat with an enthralling game that saw them defeat Stirling Albion 1-0 at home.
Kyle Doherty was the game’s only scorer, but Charlie Reilly also hit the post as well as Aaron Lynas for Rovers and Adam Cummins for Stirling both seeing red cards for second bookable offences.
Stirling Albion came at the Rover’s defence right from the get-go as Cammy Binnie was forced into two spectacular saves in the first couple of minutes to prevent Jack Leitch from giving Stirling the lead.
Charlie Reilly would then see the first big chance for Rovers in the 8th minute as he picked up the ball in midfield before advancing towards the Stirling box and unleashing a shot that bounced off the outside of the right post.
It would take another ten minutes before Rovers would see another chance but sadly Max Wright’s shot from inside the box would be blazed over the bar.
Stirling Albion would threaten again halfway through the first half as captain Ross Mcgeachie’s header from a dangerous corner on the right-hand side went just past Binnie’s left post.
Rovers would take the lead on the 26th-minute mark as David Wilson’s shot found its way into the path of Kyle Doherty whose low-driven shot in the box beat Blair Currie in the Stirling goal.
Stirling would almost instantly be given the opportunity to equalise as Cammy Binnie brought down Dale Carrick in the box giving them a penalty. Carrick stood up to take the penalty and sent Binnie the wrong way but also put the ball by the post keeping the score 1-0 to Rovers.
Jack Leitch would see his shot at the Rovers goal blocked on the 34th minute, and with not many more chances occurring, Rovers would go into the break 1-0 up.
Five minutes after the restart, Dale Carrick would see his chance lead to a corner, with the resulting corner being cleared by the Rovers defence but not before a few Stirling players were claiming that the ball had crossed the line. The referee refused to acknowledge these calls allowing Rovers to survive an early scare in the second half.
Nathan Flanagan would then find himself with a great chance for Stirling just two minutes later as his shot in the box was saved by the feet of Binnie.
Rovers would see their first big chance of the second half on the 55th minute as the ball was stolen down the right-hand side by David Wilson who found Max Wright in the box, but his shot was parried away to Kyle Doherty also couldn’t convert by blasting the ball over the bar.
The first substitution of the game would come from Stirling Albion as Kieran Moore would replace James Creaney in the 56th minute.
The first booking would then occur ten minutes later as Adam Cummins would be booked for a foul on Charlie Reilly giving Rovers a free-kick from a promising position. The free-kick was taken by David Wilson but well saved down low by Currie.
Stirling would then get a free-kick of their own with 20 minutes to play down the left with Lynas being booked. Lynas would clear the ball in but would be robbed allowing Stirling to play the ball back into the danger, but Binnie was brave and managed to get a hold of the ball on the deck.
Rovers would be reduced to ten men on the 71st minute as Aaron Lynas received a second booking for his involvement in a scuffle at the side-lines, leading to Alfie Robinson replacing Kyle Doherty as Rovers looked to hold onto their lead.
More substitutions would be seen for both teams as Dale Carrick, Nathan Flanagan, and Curtis Roberts were replaced by Sean Heaver, Daniel Scally, and Dylan Mackie for Stirling while Rovers would send on Corey O’Donnell for Max Wright as the game entered the last ten minutes.
Stirling would then also find themselves reduced to ten men with a minute to play as Adam Cummins was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Jamie Leslie allowing Rovers to feel more comfortable going into stoppage time.
Dylan Bikey would have a late chance for Stirling to equalise, but his shot was blazed over the bar, giving Rovers a big 1-0 win.
With the win over Stirling, Rovers are back to winning ways and have Cammy Binnie in goals to thank for his man of the match performance. Rovers stay in 7th but are now only 3 points off Annan Athletic in the playoff spots which is who Rovers travel to face next Saturday.
