Development League: Alloa 0 – 1 Raith Rovers

Match Report

Indodrill Stadium, 20th February 2017

Young Rovers go top of the league but pay a price due to injury.

The opening minutes of the game began briskly with Bell and Court playing a 1-2 the latter forcing Wilson to dive low at his near post.

At the other end, Martin whipped in a cross which at first the Trialist keeper seemed to gather well but was soon scrambling to prevent the ball crossing the line for an OG.

Seconds later and there was an accidental clash which resulted in Kyle Bell going off with what was later identified as a broken arm, we all wish him a speedy recovery.

Kyle was replaced by Fionn McLeod-Kay who barely had time to take his place when Alloa’s Allison went down and had to be replaced by Hutchison, some opening 10 minutes.

Alloa’s McDonald came close, first with a goal chalked off for being offside and again when he picked up a loose ball which McKay did well to clear. Seconds later Martin had a shot blocked by Syme the ball finding Court who had no luck, seeing his effort blocked by a diving defender.

With a quarter of the game over the home side’s Kearney limped off with a leg injury and Forrest came on to fill in at the back.

The breakthrough came in the 34^th minute when Yaw Osei picked up a loose ball in the middle of the Alloa half, a 15-yard run saw him beat two players and shoot from 10 yards, the ball was blocked but the rebound fell to Johnny Court who lashed the ball into the net from 15 yards 0-1

Rovers had a spell of possession which saw two great runs, the first with McLeod-Kay on a twenty-yard burst, beating two players and shooting narrowly wide, the second with Osei running from halfway and hitting a rocket from 25 yards which left Wilson with sore hands as he palmed over, from the corner Thorsen missed a sitter, hooking wide from six yards.

The attrition rate increased as Mcleod-Kay was replaced at half time for Kieran Dall.

In the opening exchanges, Rovers had efforts from Syme and Court cleared and Alloa coming dangerously close with shots from Cunningham, Martin and Hoggan.

The second half swung back and forth but it was the Rovers that had the best of attempts on goal, Dall and Syme troubling Wilson, then later Stevenson with a couple from long range and Dall and Smith combining well with the latter shooting wide at the near post.

With the U20’s without a game next week hopefully the lads will have time to get over their niggles although Kyle will take a bit longer.

Remember, RRFC Season Ticket holders get free entry to all Development League games. View the Development League (East) Fixture list & Table here.

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