Second Premier scalp for Albion
ALBION ROVERS QUAY CELTIC 2 1
FORMER Challenge Cup winners Albion Rovers could be ones to watch in the competition this season after claiming a second Premier Division scalp to move into round three.
Pat Mohan’s charges had already accounted for Boyne Harps, and on Thursday last they played host to another of the league’s top clubs in Quay Celtic.
Albion played their usual flowing game from the off, creating half-chances and forcing a couple of corners in the first 15 minutes, but it was Quay who made the breakthrough thanks to a free header at the near post from a corner kick.
Albion pressed for an equaliser and on the half-hour their dangerman Evan Corlett regained parity when he turned the opposition centre-half and chipped the keeper from a tight angle - his 15th goal of the season from only 10 matches.
Despite both teams creating chances there was no further scoring in the first half, which ended 1-1.
Albion started slowly in the second half and Quay got a grip of the game for a spell but could not get the better of Albion’s netminder Niall McDonnell.
Midfield pair Jack Reynolds and Stephen Martin worked tirelessly to get Albion back on top, but they suffered a setback with the loss of Corlett to injury.
Mohan decided it was the right time to introduce a bright young star in 17-year-old Conor McQuillan and the substitute almost got himself on the scoresheet only 30 seconds after coming on but put his shot narrowly wide from 10 yards out.
Albion then took the lead with 15 minutes remaining when pressure from Adam Gartland forced a mistake at the back and the ball fell to Sam Kelly who sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Quay brought on a substitute but within five minutes the same man saw red for a two-footed tackle, reducing the visitors to 10 men.
Albion thought they had scored a third goal when McQuillan broke from his own half of the field and lobbed the oncoming Quay keeper, only for the referee to make a contentious offside call.
Best on the night for Albion were Gartland, Martin, Kelly and man-of-the-match Reynolds. ALBION ROVERS: