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 last night.
Murray admits the ex-Partick Thistle 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
“These are hard games, buit after the first 15 minutes we came into the game and dominated a bit more. If we had a bit better quality in the final third we probably would have went ahead.
“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.
“I thought our energy was really good and it’s probably what got us over the line.
“We’re miles away from where we want to be, but we still look okay. That’s a positive thing.
“We need to brush up. We’re a wee bit rusty and there has been a few tired legs over pre-season.
“Players need to be ready. With one eye on the Partick Thistle game the players need to stand out a bit.
“I thought Ally Roy was excellent. In front of his home crowd, he’s a local lad, he did very well 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 look sharp from the start with wing-back Ross Clarke forcing David Hutton to a shot wide inside three minutes.
However, goalkeeper Daniel Potts was the busier of the two goalkeepers, 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.
had some harsh words for his players after the final whistle, admitting they didn’t do one thing he was happy with during the game.
“I’m disappointed,” Harper added. “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.
“We had a couple of trialists and a couple of people that haven’t been in the team, but that’s not making excuses. Over the course the boys know they can’t play like that.
“We didn’t look a threat, we didn’t look as if we were going to score, and we didn’t really do anything that I was pleased with.”
