Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Roy of the Rovers on derby day
MARK PIRIE AIRDRIEONIANS...2 ALBION ROVERS...0 Airdrieonians new boy Ally Roy was praised by boss Ian Murray after a scoring start in front of the Diamonds crowd.
Two late goals from striker Roy and captain Sean Crighton decided the friendly Monklands Derby clash.
Murray admits the ex-Partick Thistle man could have bagged more against their rivals in the early season clash after an impressive display.
“It was a typical pre-season game,”he told the Advertiser.
“Fair play to Albion Rovers, they are vastly improved side from last year and I think they will do okay this season in their league.
“We had to overcome a very stuffy side who have had a good pre-season so far and some good performances.
“We’re miles away from where we want to be, but we still look okay. That’s a positive thing.
“I thought Ally Roy was excellent. He’s a local lad and was unlucky not to score a few more.
“Kurtis Roberts’energy in the middle of the park is what we expected from him. The back four did exceptionally well.”
The Coatbridge visitors looked sharp from the start with wing-back Ross Clarke forcing David Hutton to shoot wide inside three minutes.
However, Rovers’Daniel Potts was the busier of the two keepers, keeping out early chances for Roy and Cammy Russell.
Despite some good stops, the Cliftonhill keeper almost dropped a clanger as he was beaten to the ball by Russell after rushing off his line. However, his defence leapt to prevent his blushes.
The dominant Diamonds did make the breakthrough as Dean Hawkshaw found Dale Carrick, who slipped Roy in for the opener.
Hawkshaw was instrumental in the second, as his cross was met by skipper Crighton and the deflected effort found the net.
Albion Rovers boss Kevin Harper had some harsh words for his players after the final whistle.
“I’m disappointed,”he told the Advertiser.“I don’t think we held on to the ball well enough.
“We didn’t control the ball, it was like a bit of a hot potato.
“The boys know they can’t play like that.
“We didn’t look a threat.”