A solitary second-half goal proved the difference as Albion Rovers began their Lowland League West campaign with defeat away to Cumnock Juniors on Saturday, July 25, writes Jai McGrory.
Cumnock Juniors’ Adam Forde’s finish from close-range in the 65th-minute was enough to seal all three points for the hosts in the league opener.
The Lowland League West got underway today, with new manager Steven Saunders taking charge of his first competitive match at the helm of Albion Rovers, with a trip down the M77 to Cumnock Juniors’ Townhead Park
Saunders’ first starting XI saw Grant Tamosevicius start between the sticks, with a back four of Chris Neeson, Innes Clark, Devan McColl and new signing Jonathan Page, who adds a wealth of experience. In midfield, Barry Duncan returned after finishing as the Rovers’ top scorer last season, alongside Conor McLaughlin. Nathan Brown, Adam McMillan and Owen Ronald operated further forward, with Tony Garth leading the line.
The substitutes were Daniel Gaffney, Daniel Hunter, Dean Rhappozzoh, Alfie Lumsden, Rock Moses, as well as Trialists #18 and #23.
Cumnock Juniors got the season underway on the front foot, but the Albion Rovers defence held firm. The game soon settled, with both sides trying to find their rhythm and creating a few half chances. McColl saw one of his efforts blocked before Jon Craig played a long ball through for Cumnock captain Robert Buchanan, who blazed his effort over the bar.
The hosts gradually grew into the game and threatened the Rovers goal on several occasions, with former Rover Zander Craik heading wide from a dangerous Adam Forde delivery. Albion Rovers’ first real chance came in the 14th minute when good play down the right resulted in a shooting opportunity for Ronald, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Rovers loanee Innes Clark found himself in the referee’s book for a foul inside his own half as the hosts continued to look dangerous, while Forde was later booked for a late challenge.
Five minutes before the break, Cumnock looked to capitalise on their dominance. Buchanan was involved again, playing a line-breaking pass for Thomas Brindley to race through one-on-one with Tamosevicius, but the left-back fired well over the bar. From the resulting goal kick, the hosts won possession high up the pitch once again, but were unable to make it count. They continued to apply pressure until half-time, with Buchanan going close from a header that drifted just over the crossbar.
Albion Rovers started the second half with more intent, attempting a few balls in behind and creating a handful of half chances, but none could be converted. Craik was shown a yellow card for delaying a restart before moments later producing the biggest chance of the game, only to see his effort brilliantly blocked by Page, who put his body on the line before colliding with Tamosevicius.
Cumnock maintained the control they had shown throughout much of the game, limiting Albion Rovers to scraps in attack aside from the occasional ball over the top. Page was eventually forced off after the earlier collision, with Rock Moses replacing him, while Ronald made way for Hunter in the 61st minute.
The only goal of the game arrived in the 65th minute. After Duncan’s effort drifted off target, the hosts restarted quickly. Brindley collected the ball on the left and drove into the Rovers box before shooting across goal. Tamosevicius produced a good save, but Forde reacted quickest to poke home the rebound from close range and give Cumnock the lead.
The Nock almost doubled their advantage four minutes later when Forde picked Clark’s pocket before driving a low effort towards the bottom corner, but Tamosevicius was equal to it once again.
Saunders turned to his bench in search of an equaliser, introducing Dean Rhappozzoh for Duncan and Trialist #18 in place of Brown. The Wee Rovers continued to battle, and neat play eventually gave McLaughlin an opportunity from the edge of the area. His effort took a couple of deflections and grazed the crossbar, although no corner was awarded despite strong appeals from both the players and the travelling support.
Rhappozzoh added a spark to the Rovers attack after coming on, winning several corners before producing an excellent turn and dangerous cross, with Trialist #18 unable to make clean contact.
A few minutes from time, Garth went to ground following an off-the-ball challenge, but penalty appeals were waved away. Shortly afterwards, Hunter struck a volley from outside the area that was well saved by Blair Currie.
The hosts almost wrapped up the points moments later, but another big save from Tamosevicius kept Albion Rovers alive. A quick restart saw Moses play the ball into the left channel, and some sloppy defending from Cumnock created an opening. Trialist #18 did well to beat several defenders before squaring the ball across goal, where it was turned behind for a corner.
Referee Kieran O’Reilly brought proceedings to a close after the resulting corner came to nothing, with the hosts taking all three points. It was a disappointing start to the season for the Wee Rovers, who will now turn their attention to next Saturday’s home clash with Largs Thistle at Cliftonhill, where they will look to get their first points of the campaign.
Albion Rovers XI: Grant Tamosevicius, Chris Neeson, Innes Clark, Devan McColl, Jonathon Page (Rock Moses, 61), Conor Mclaughlin, Barry Duncan (C) (Dean Rhappozzoh, 72), Nathan Brown (Trialist #18, 77), Adam McMillan, Owen Ronald (Daniel Hunter, 60), Tony Garth
Unused Subs: Daniel Gaffney, Alfie Lumsden, Trialist #23.
Cumnock Juniors XI: Blair Currie, Dan Stoddart, Thomas Brindley, Jon Craig, Darren Brownlie, Cameron Chalmers (Andy McDonald, 90), Tommy Sharp, Robert Buchanan (C), Adam Forde, Jack Lavery (Alex McCaw, 82), Zander Craik (Grant Gallagher, 82).
Unused Subs: Aiden Russell, Duncan Barlow, Jack O’Rourke, Cameron Breadner
Referee: Kieran O’Reilly
