Long-serving Albion Rovers defender Alan Reid is hoping the League 2 leaders can see off bogey side Berwick Rangers at Shielfield on Saturday and maintain their fine start to the season.
Darren Young’s team moved above Arbroath on goal difference after a 2-0 win at Montrose last weekend while Berwick are five points back in third place following their 2-0 reverse at Annan.
Reid said: “It has been a terrific start to the season and to win four games out of five is unheard of at Albion Rovers. We normally do not begin a season as well as we have done. It has helped having three games at home but you still need to go out and win.
“We are off to Berwick now and they were a bit of a bogey side last season. They beat us in all four games so it would be good to turn things around.
“Montrose were also a bit of a bogey side to us last season so it was good to win there last weekend. If we win this one, I would like to think that we are sending out a message about being serious promotion and title contenders.”
Rovers have defeated Annan Athletic, East Fife, Queen's Park and Montrose, with only a defeat from previous leaders Arbroath spoiling what would have been a perfect start.
The win at Links Park came after Montrose goalkeeper Stuart McKenzie got his marching orders after just three minutes, with Reid saying: “It was a bit of a surreal start as the ball got played through their defence and Ross McNeil got to it ahead of their goalkeeper who had come out of his area.
“The keeper took Ross out and there was no doubt in my mind that it was a red card even though it was very early. It changed things instantly as playing against 10 men is never easy. They took a striker off and put on a more defensive-minded player in his place and got bodies behind the ball.
“The prospects of taking something from the game changed and so did their game plan. They could soak up the pressure and look to hit on the break and it almost worked for them as they hit a couple of decent free kicks. The change meant that we had to win it. It was as simple as that and we did.”
Reid, who is now in his eighth season at Cliftonhill, is enjoying life under player/manager Darren Young who was appointed during the summer.
He said: “Playing alongside a player/manager is new to me however I did have an introduction to it when Todd Lumsden was both a player and assistant manager here to Paul Martin. It is a bit different with Darren as he is the boss and is more involved in midfield than Todd was in defence so you can be shouting ‘gaffer’ quite a bit!
“He has played his entire career at a higher level and it shows. He also adds a good bit of composure on the ball. He has brought a lot of his experience with him to the training ground and we are enjoying his training.
“Winning games always makes things feel right. We had a really good Scottish Cup run last season but the league was disappointing as we had hoped to make the play-offs but didn’t.
“The play-offs and fourth spot were the target this season. Anything above fourth would be a bonus but, if we can keep this good run going, that may change.”
Craig Stewart
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