Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Rovers can keep up pressure at the top
Centre-back Perry backs side for more big results
Arbroath ................. 1 Albion Rovers ......... 4
Mark Pirie Ross Perry is confident that Albion Rovers can keep up their momentum at the top of the table after a dominant display against Arbroath.
Rovers are amongst the early pace-setters in League One and find themselves sitting third after another win on the road at Gayfield.
Centre-back Perry knocked home the third goal of the day – with Alan Trouten, captain Gary Fisher and in-form striker Connor Shields also on the scoresheet.
Kane Hester grabbed a consolation for Dick Campbell’s men but it was the visitors who celebrated an impressive three points.
The 27-year-old defender is now confident that the Coatbridge outfit can continue to build – as they sit just behind full-time Ayr and Raith Rovers in the league.
“We have shown what we are capable of,” Perry told the Advertiser.
“As a team we are still gelling but you can see we are starting to find a good balance.
“It’s a great bunch of lads and there is a really good mood in the dressing room. We are a small group but it’s tightly knit.
“There is a good squad and we are all pushing each other to keep up at the top end of the table.”
He added: “On a personal level it was good to get my goal. I probably don’t get enough of them – so it was good to take one of those chances.”
Perry also believes Rovers can overcome the problems they have had at home so far this season with a win over Stranraer on Saturday.
He said “We’ve not been at our best at home, or given ourselves the best chance to win those games with the way we have played.
“We have improved in the last two games, so we are confident that we can get a result.”
Trouten opened the scoring just before half-time as he lofted his shot over Red Lichties goalkeeper David Hutton.
Rovers hit the static Arbroath defence on the break as Gary Fisher broke through on goal to double the lead, and Perry volleyed in a third from a well-worked corner.
He s t e r clawed a goal back after meeting a Bobby Linn cross, before Connor Shields outpaced the hosts defence and slotted the ball into the net to make it four.
Following the game, boss Brian Kerr felt that players returning from injury had boosted the side.
He said: “We have had Sean Higgins and Jason Marr back from injury, and Craig McLeish has been added to the squad.
“These are experienced players with quality. All the boys in the starting 11 know they need to fight for their place in the team now.
“That pressure can only be good for us.”